1
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
a paroxysm of laughter greeted the pratfall
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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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Recent Examples of paroxysm
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.
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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
Thinking about my mother, at home without me, sent me into paroxysms of tears – big, rolling sobs that welled up from someplace deep and uncharted.
—Various Staff Writers, Special Correspondents, and Special Contributors, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Dec. 2023
That paroxysm of ethnic cleansing and extrajudicial killings devolved into a gruesome civil war, trapping Tamil civilians in the violence.
—Audrey Kurth Cronin, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for paroxysm 
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
Thinking about my mother, at home without me, sent me into paroxysms of tears – big, rolling sobs that welled up from someplace deep and uncharted.
—Various Staff Writers, Special Correspondents, and Special Contributors, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Dec. 2023
That paroxysm of ethnic cleansing and extrajudicial killings devolved into a gruesome civil war, trapping Tamil civilians in the violence.
—Audrey Kurth Cronin, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
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Brazil’s Supreme Court was evacuated after two nearby explosions, stirring security concerns before the country hosts the G20 summit.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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But the new explosion of AI is just the latest development in a long line of technological evolution.Greg Brunk, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The show has also seen a bit of of behind-the-scenes upheaval as of late.Andy Swift, TVLine, 1 Nov. 2024
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As someone deeply connected to this narrative through my family’s legacy with the Chickasaw Nation and the Chickasaw Freedmen, I am inspired by the pivotal roles that my great-great-great-grandfather, Charles Cohee Sr., and his son, Charles Cohee Jr., played during a time of significant upheaval.Kevin Cohee, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Loading your audio article FORT COLLINS — After a violent outburst almost cost him everything, Avery Morrow was determined to get his life back on track.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
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Angry outbursts, a lack of motivation and poor eating habits may be signs of election stress that will put some people at higher risk for cardiovascular problems this week, experts and research suggest.Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Authorities have erected new security fencing around the White House and other buildings in Washington, D.C., on Sunday as the nation's capital braces for possible unrest on and after Election Day.David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
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Obviously, there are myriad reasons for the malaise gripping the town — the lingering aftereffects of the pandemic, the industry-wide economic shrinkage, the labor unrest, the waves and waves of layoffs.Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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But her images, which often contain jarring bursts of color, rarely appeared to outright represent these subjects.Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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However, your body digests this quick burst of glucose (sugar) quickly, leaving you feeling sluggish shortly after.Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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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, 4 Nov. 2024
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The Keynesian revolution provided still another policy response for governments to consider during periods of economic crisis: spending as fiscal stimulus to create jobs and income.Erik Guzik / The Conversation, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Last December, a surprise eruption at Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province killed two dozen climbers on their way up the up the nearly 9,480-foot mountain.Reuters, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024
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This clears the way for a jaw-dropping eruption from Khan, the sort of vocal bulldozing that Jackson, with his more delicate register, couldn’t match.Elias Leight, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
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Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues.Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near paroxysm
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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