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
The system came crashing down in a paroxysm of raw power politics, and the world was set ablaze.
—
Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Sudden fits or attacks, known as paroxysms, of rapid coughs.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Sudden fits or attacks, known as paroxysms, of rapid coughs.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
-
The Yankees’ double-digit explosion on a rainy night provided plenty of breathing room for a bullpen that has been taxed and decimated by injuries.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
-
In recent years, there has been an explosion of education entrepreneurship.—
Andrew Wimer,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Concerns among Democrats may have been expected in California, given the state’s liberal tilt and the widespread and relentless government upheaval since President Trump took office in January.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
-
And yet, despite seismic shifts in just about everything—three distinct processor instruction sets, two CEOs, innumerable design changes, and global trade upheaval—Apple's cheapest modern laptops have started around $1,000 for more than two decades.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Willi Castro belted a solo shot off Hodge to make it 5-0, Lewis singled in a run, and Harrison Bader completed the six-run outburst with a two-run homer of his own off Hodge.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
-
For its part, the Kremlin has played down any suggestion that President Trump’s recent critical outburst has had much impact.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Park’s father was among those armed shopkeepers during the unrest.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
-
Gunn acknowledged that the movie’s themes may be interpreted differently across political groups, especially considering the current nationwide unrest around immigration.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
The galaxy can be seen undergoing a burst of star formation thanks to the tidal influence of a galactic neighbor, with the glowing red form of an emission nebula visible throughout, giving the impression of a cosmic firework display.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
13 July 2025
-
The raging river bursts from its banks around this time, sweeping homes, cars, campers and cabins downstream.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Johnny Rotten) — inarguably the most iconic figure of the Seventies U.K. punk revolution — and the band was attempting to move forward without him following years of acrimony, nasty barbs in the press, and a massive legal row that brought band tensions to an all-time high.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
12 July 2025
-
In fact, Prime members can snag this $400 stick vacuum with an impressive motor speed of 85,000 revolutions per minute for a whopping 73 percent off now.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Featuring hundreds of diagrams from the past millennium, ranging from financial charts to maps of volcanic eruptions, the exhibition provides the kind of survey that brings definition to an entire category of visual communication.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Earth processes – such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – also trigger cascading hazards, often with long-lasting effects.—
Brian J. Yanites,
The Conversation,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Common symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
3 July 2025
-
For more severe and potentially life-threatening infections, symptoms may include headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share