paroxysm

American  

[par-uhk-siz-uhm, puh-rok‐] / ˈpær əkˌsɪz əm, pəˈrɒk‐ /

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.

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paroxysm British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of paroxysm

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

Example Sentences

This eruption is the peninsula’s third volcanic paroxysm in a row, following on from similar lava-spewing eruptions in 2021 and 2022—and it’s unlikely to be the last.

From National Geographic • Jul. 24, 2023

In McPherson’s account, Northern support for Brown’s cause “provoked a paroxysm of anger more intense than the original reaction to the raid.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2023

It’s part jazz concert, part public paroxysm, part spiritual communion.

From Washington Post • Feb. 17, 2022

And then it kept erupting, with two more violent jets of material firing into space on Sunday, followed by a fourth paroxysm on Monday.

From New York Times • Sep. 30, 2021

Our children clung to the banisters and witnessed her paroxysm; our servants were sent to summon her cousin.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• convulsion
• flare-up