1
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a paroxysm of laughter greeted the pratfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paroxysm
These symptoms include: Runny or stuffed up nose Low-grade fever (less than 100.4℉)
Mild, occasional cough
One to two weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, that usually last one to six weeks but can last up to 10 weeks.
—
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
Many of the young men peeling away from the Democrats came of age during in the social paroxysms of recent years: #MeToo, DEI, online cancellations—cultural changes that some men interpreted as hostile to them.
—Charlotte Alter, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024
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
One to two weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, that usually last one to six weeks but can last up to 10 weeks.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
Many of the young men peeling away from the Democrats came of age during in the social paroxysms of recent years: #MeToo, DEI, online cancellations—cultural changes that some men interpreted as hostile to them.
—Charlotte Alter, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024
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
One to two weeks after the first symptoms start, people may develop paroxysms, or coughing fits, that usually last one to six weeks but can last up to 10 weeks.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
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Since that offensive explosion, however, the Reds' bats have been dormant.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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In the latest explosion of violence, at least 31 people were killed and dozens others were injured Thursday after the Israeli military struck the Dar al-Arqam School in the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, according to a statement by the Gaza Civil Defense.—
Lauren Izso,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Impact Leaders Create Stability In an age of climate risk, geopolitical tension, and technological upheaval, long-term stability matters more than short-term profits.—
Paul Klein,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Despite the upheaval of the last two months, Nomar is clear on the purpose of college in his life.—
Anna North,
Vox,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Muncy’s two errors allowed the Braves to jump on them, and the second-inning outburst was extended when Andy Pages misjudged a ball in center field that clanked off his glove for a run-scoring double.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
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Common types include oppositional defiant disorder (distrust and aggression toward authority figures) and intermittent explosive disorder (frequent outbursts of anger).—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In 1968, amid urban unrest eerily similar to the tensions today, dedicated scholars built institutes such as the Urban Institute and Johns Hopkins’ Center for Metropolitan Planning and Research to bring rigorous evidence to bear on pressing social problems.—
Andrew V. Papachristos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2025
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Political unrest urged by anti-Trump liberals, coupled with attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships due to founder Elon Musk’s close association with the president, appears to be pushing some people to buy guns for self-defense.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The transformed Hidden Jungle aviary bursts with hundreds of butterflies each spring, attracting butterfly enthusiasts from across the region.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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An 8-year-old Utah boy jumping on a trampoline miraculously survived after a strong wind burst sent him several feet into the air.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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From climate leadership and architectural innovation to culinary revolutions and cinematic exports, Danish values are increasingly resonating worldwide.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Political thriller The Translator (2020) explored the early days of the revolution and the decades of oppression that preceded it, through the tale of a political refugee living in Australia who returns to Syria in search of his brother after he is arrested by the authorities for protesting.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The most recent eruption of this volcano was in 2005.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
3 Apr. 2025
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Mars contains volcanic plains formed by past eruptions and inactive shield volcanoes that are much more massive than Earth’s volcanoes; Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the entire Solar System, stands at about 2.5 times the height of Mt. Everest.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Those younger than a year old can develop apnea (potentially deadly pauses in breathing), pneumonia, convulsions and encephalopathy (brain disease).—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
4 Apr. 2025
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With the more serious form of Listeria, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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