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

Explanation

A paroxysm is a convulsion or sudden fit, brought on because you're freaking out or coming down with something. Paroxysm is from the Greek word paroxysmos, which basically means "to irritate." If you're irritated to the point of having a wild fit, like if you see someone trying to steal your car, you might go into a paroxysm of rage. When the clowns performed their act, the audience went into a paroxysm of giggles. A paroxysm can be medical, too, like when an illness suddenly attacks, and you get symptoms like chills and a fever right away.

Example Sentences

And in a brief explosive moment of recognition between their characters, Lane and Abbott incite the Winter Garden Theatre audience into a paroxysm of grief.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

And when the stormy morning after arrives, each peal of thunder sends Julia into a paroxysm of nerves that flings her around like a handkerchief caught in a stiff breeze.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

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

Sittenfeld sets her action in 2018, decades after that paroxysm of genius has passed.

From Washington Post • Mar. 28, 2023

The paroxysm of blinking made me pity the poor man.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• convulsion
• flare-up