1
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a paroxysm of laughter greeted the pratfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
Darwin's introduction of the theory of evolution created paroxysms in both religion and science that are still being felt today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of paroxysm
For Fu, a 24-year-old graduate student in Beijing, this month’s paroxysms don’t change much on the ground.
—
Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024
Symptoms can include: Runny or stuffed-up nose Low-grade fever
Mild, occasional cough
One to two weeks after symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, which can last up to 10 weeks and gradually become worse as the illness continues, NCMS says.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2025
Across the country, campuses were undergoing paroxysms of protest and counter-protest, pulled between the Palestinian and Israeli causes.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
And what ensues is just that: a sloshing, pumping paroxysm of guttural suffering.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC News, 12 Oct. 2024
Symptoms can include: Runny or stuffed-up nose Low-grade fever
Mild, occasional cough
One to two weeks after symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, which can last up to 10 weeks and gradually become worse as the illness continues, NCMS says.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2025
Across the country, campuses were undergoing paroxysms of protest and counter-protest, pulled between the Palestinian and Israeli causes.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
And what ensues is just that: a sloshing, pumping paroxysm of guttural suffering.
—Spin Contributor, SPIN, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
-
An explosion of heated coverage followed the initial report, much of it seemingly reliant on police leaks or pure speculation for sourcing.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
21 May 2025
-
Fire investigators determined the fire and explosion were intentionally set.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Expert in identity management, AI and open-source solutions. 2025 has ushered in a great deal of political upheaval and technological changes, with more coming at us almost daily.—
Kevin Korte,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
And nowhere is this upheaval more apparent than in the turning tides of geopolitics.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Damon Valdez singled in the fourth run of the inning and singled in a run in the Griffins’ four-run outburst in the sixth.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
20 May 2025
-
William followed up a Day 1 bagel with a 24-point outburst in Day 2, while Bates shot 1 of 6 on the first day but scored 19 points on eight shots on the second day.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
This cultural suppression continued for decades, as political unrest escalated and the state’s grip on artistic expression tightened.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
-
But residents say in the aftermath of the unrest, police — even ambulances — avoided coming here.—
Meg Anderson,
NPR,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Short bursts of revenue can flatter results but may not create lasting value, so make decisions with a long horizon in mind.—
Ayo Adepoju,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
The successful challenge appeared to give Florida a burst of energy, but the Panthers could not convert on any of their chances in the shutout loss.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
No industry is immune to the AI revolution, but how are brands using this technology to make consumer experiences better?—
Angus McDonald,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
The most recent casualties in the wearable wars were supposed to herald the AI hardware revolution.—
Jackie Snow,
Quartz,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Fifty to 70 volcano eruptions are recorded around the world each year.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
-
This latest episode in Kilauea’s ongoing eruption started in Halemaʻumaʻu crater at 4:15 p.m. HST on Sunday and ended abruptly at 10:25 p.m., according to USGS.—
Eric Mack,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
About 1 in 1,000 also suffers swelling of the brain called encephalitis, which can lead to convulsions, deafness or intellectual disability.—
Alix Martichoux,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Around 1 in 1,000 children who contract measles develop encephalitis, or brain inflammation, that can lead to deafness, convulsions or intellectual disabilities.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share