paroxysmal
Americanadjective
-
sudden and uncontrolled.
In 2 years of continuous observations, volcanic activity included minor explosions, persistent degassing, paroxysmal eruptions, and lava flows.
This region of the world is going through paroxysmal changes, and ongoing humanitarian aid is a critical need.
-
Medicine/Medical. occurring periodically, especially with brief episodes; recurrent.
Paroxysmal cough was observed in 89% of the infants studied.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of paroxysmal
First recorded in 1570–80; paroxysm ( def. ) + -al 1 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their movement then sends false signals to the brain that the head is spinning, causing the sudden dizziness and spinning sensation, sometimes accompanied by nausea, known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Even the risk of a specific subset of tachycardias, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardiaswas elevated up to 6 months after the infection and was five times greater in the first month.
From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2023
A nurse practitioner thought she might have benign paroxysmal positional vertigo caused by an inner ear imbalance or labyrinthitis, an infection of the inner ear.
From Washington Post • Dec. 10, 2021
Even the use of music — a very effective mix of country western songs and paroxysmal effects — unequivocally guides the viewer on the path of the protagonist’s madness.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2021
It would be necessary to balance protracted periods of inaction against the occasional outburst of paroxysmal explosions.
From Principles of Geology or, The Modern Changes of the Earth and its Inhabitants Considered as Illustrative of Geology by Lyell, Charles, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
