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

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

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

From Salon

Proving that such paroxysms can descend on anyone at any time and anywhere, the 31-year-old recalls being in Hawaii when it hit her.

From Salon

I like to think that’s how everyone reacts when they initially see Delon, whose beauty has long inspired paroxysms of rapture.

From New York Times

Related Words

• convulsion 
• flare-up