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
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
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Since March, the southeast crater showed signs of activity with smaller explosions and moderate lava flows.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
Salt Lake has had this huge explosion over the past few years.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Automakers brace for policy upheaval Automakers knew that Trump's election would bring huge changes to EV policy.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
3 June 2025
-
His resignation, fueled by discontent over his family’s apparent lavish spending and luxurious lifestyle, marks the latest political upheaval in the Asian nation’s longstanding fight against corruption.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
The outburst comes just days after Trump and Musk appeared together for a chummy White House news conference billed as a friendly sendoff for the latter.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2025
-
That 18-point outburst remains Johannès’ lone double-digit scoring night of the season in seven tries.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
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During last December’s unrest, the young farmer participated in a now-famous protest at Namtaeryeong, a normally quiet subway station where police were blocking the protesters’ path to Seoul.—
Yejin Gim,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 June 2025
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His electoral campaign had centered on the promise of putting an end to the unrest in Donbas, which had been rumbling on for years.—
Anna Batta,
The Conversation,
2 June 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
-
Each episode explores a pivotal or outrageous moment in marijuana history—from ancient tokes to cultural revolutions—blending humor with surprisingly rich education.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
-
The artificial intelligence revolution has reached a critical inflection point.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Fifty to 70 volcano eruptions are recorded around the world each year.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
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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
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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
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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 11 Jun. 2025.
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