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
Henry, afflicted by a psychic link to the monsters behind the veil of the Stranger Things universe, has to go into writhing, spitting paroxysms at least once every 20 minutes or so.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for paroxysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paroxysm
Noun
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There's also been an explosion of machine identities, known as non-human identities (NHIs), that enterprises have to contend with.—
TK Keanini,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Within hours, the hospital would receive trauma victims from a series of explosions at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works.—
Salena Zito,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The west London club has won all six WSL titles since Arsenal last won it in 2019 and last year finished a cushy 12 points clear of the north Londoners, even after significant upheaval that included legendary manager Emma Hayes leaving the club.—
Amanda Davies,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
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The drama about a Turkish college professor facing major upheavals on two home fronts bowed at Sundance and stars Ekin Koc, Erkan Kolçak Kostendil, Hazar Erguclu and Ercan Kesal.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Still, the White Sox found a way to stymie their offensive outburst with quality pitching.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Aug. 2025
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Red giants and massive stars aren't generally associated with phenomena that could trigger such an outburst.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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And what many studies, going back to the civil unrest during the 1960s and '70s, showed that when law enforcement engages in arbitrary or poorly targeted violence, that often creates more violence.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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In the wake of the public unrest stoked by Shagan and his cronies, the country has descended into chaos.—
Jack King,
Vulture,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Jefferson relies on his burst and explosiveness to dominate opposing defensive backs.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
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The latest report came as consumers await a possible burst of inflation as President Donald Trump's tariffs take hold.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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During the revolution, which lasted three months, Parubiy was the head of an enormous tent city established by thousands of protesters in Kyiv’s central Independence Square, known as the Maidan.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
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Quantum innovation will stimulate revolution across sectors, from healthcare and finance to logistics and national security.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Those eruptions happened over tens of thousands of years.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
21 Aug. 2025
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The convective rock currents continue to flow slowly and ripple over millions of years, leading to rare volcanic eruptions that bring diamonds to Earth’s surface or help uplift mountains, the researchers found.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For more severe and potentially life-threatening infections, symptoms may include headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
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Serious infections may lead to headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paroxysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paroxysm. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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