paroxysm

[par-uhk-siz-uhm, puh-rok‐]

noun

1. any sudden, uncontrollable outburst; a fit of emotion or action: a paroxysm of laughter; The war unleashed a paroxysm of violence.

   paroxysms of rage;

   a paroxysm of laughter;

   a paroxysm of coughing;

   The war unleashed a paroxysm of violence.

2. Pathology.,  a severe attack or a sudden increase in intensity of a disease, usually recurring periodically.

paroxysm

/ ˈpærəkˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. an uncontrollable outburst

   a paroxysm of giggling

2. pathol

   1. a sudden attack or recurrence of a disease

   2. any fit or convulsion

Other Word Forms

• paroxysmal adjective
• paroxysmic adjective
• hyperparoxysm noun
• paroxysmally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paroxysm¹

First recorded in 1570–80; earlier paroxismos, from Greek paroxysmós “irritation,” derivative of paroxýnein “to irritate.” See par-, oxy- ¹, -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of paroxysm¹

C17: via French from Medieval Latin paroxysmus annoyance, from Greek paroxusmos, from paroxunein to goad, from _para- ¹ (intensifier) + oxunein to sharpen, from oxus sharp

Example Sentences

Be ready to bend short-term volatility paroxysms to express long-term investment themes.

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Be ready to bend short-term volatility paroxysms to express long-term investment themes.

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With these plans on the table, Mamdani’s victory provoked the city’s billionaire class and its water carriers to rhetorical paroxysms, including forecasts of economic armageddon for the city.

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And yes, in a paroxysm of pettiness, he renamed Mt.

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"The idea that you could have a Christian nationalist position would have just set Jefferson into paroxysms of rage," John said.

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Related Words

• convulsion 
• flare-up