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

Just a day into its paroxysm, the eruption noticeably calmed down, and it seemed possible that it would die out in a matter of days.

From National Geographic • Dec. 19, 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

Her team suspects that, before the paroxysm, magma intruded below Nyiragongo’s flank — but then, it waited.

From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2022

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

From Washington Post • Feb. 17, 2022

All the pent-up emotions of a nation weary from four years of war exploded in a paroxysm, nowhere as much as in the war communities leading the home-front effort.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• convulsion
• flare-up