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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paroxysm
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
This confession sends O’Brien into paroxysms of rage, and ends with a surreal conclusion that is pretty, pretty good.
—Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
In interviews with a dozen survivors across Rwanda in the two days preceding the commemoration on Sunday, many spoke about the paroxysm of violence that gripped this lush, landlocked nation.
—Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
In the end, the edifice of peace that so many had labored so hard to construct was consumed in a paroxysm of violence as the Palestinians launched another, more intense uprising and the Israelis expanded their occupation of the West Bank.
—Martin Indyk, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paroxysm 
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024
This confession sends O’Brien into paroxysms of rage, and ends with a surreal conclusion that is pretty, pretty good.
—Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
In interviews with a dozen survivors across Rwanda in the two days preceding the commemoration on Sunday, many spoke about the paroxysm of violence that gripped this lush, landlocked nation.
—Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
In the end, the edifice of peace that so many had labored so hard to construct was consumed in a paroxysm of violence as the Palestinians launched another, more intense uprising and the Israelis expanded their occupation of the West Bank.
—Martin Indyk, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
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One witness in Havre de Grace, Maryland, recorded video of the eerie glow, showing the fireball resembled a silent explosion that lit the early morning as most people slept.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2025
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Finally, in 1910, came a fabled explosion that has been dramatized in several Gustav-and-Alma movies.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Read: The GoFundMe fires In moments of tragedy or upheaval, not all Angelenos can take their freedom of mobility for granted, in part because of how Southern California infrastructure has developed over the past century.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Ten years later, the music industry would experience upheaval of its own, with the internet beginning its ascent as the primary source for music consumption, soon cratering sales of recorded music amidst the rise of online file sharing and streaming.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Page Six reported that the 58-year-old television chef had an outburst on Thursday, January 16, while shopping at Eataly NYC Downtown.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
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Speaking during his post-match interview on court, Medvedev appeared to be in good spirits and didn’t mention his outburst at the end of the third set.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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After a term marked by civil unrest, incompetence, moral and ethical failures, conspiracy theories, extremism, mismanaging COVID, and overseeing Republican losses in the House and the Senate, America was decidedly tired of Trump’s ineptitude and self-destructiveness.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2025
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But unlike when Trump helped spark a mob of his supporters to attack the Capitol and tried to retain power in 2021 after his loss to Democrat Joe Biden, officials are not expecting massive protests, unrest or violence.—
Will Weissert,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But over eight half-hour episodes (including a finale that’s twice that length), those momentary bursts of magic feel all too fleeting.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2025
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That was no problem for Netflix as Back in Action wasn't just filmed at Pinewood but action sequences were also shot on London's river Thames and at its barrier which prevents the city from flooding and bursts open in the film.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Its parent company, Ocean Approved, launched this consumer brand in 2019 and is leading a quiet, underwater revolution in American agriculture.—
Heide Brandes,
thehustle.co,
24 Jan. 2025
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Author of 'Swarm Troopers: How small drones will conquer the world,' following cutting-edge military technology in general and the drone warfare revolution in particular.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Most associate Vesuvius with the 79 CE eruption that encased Pompeii in ash, preserving it for eternity.—
Francesca Aton,
ARTnews.com,
28 Jan. 2025
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In the days following the eruption of the Los Angeles fires, children called and texted their instructors at Jigsaw to make sure their favorite horses were doing okay.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Its severest consequences include pneumonia, convulsions, and brain damage.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2025
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An emotional convulsion, not a cultural revolution.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near paroxysm
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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