paroxysmal

[ par-uhk-siz-muhl, puh-rok‐ ]

adjective

1. 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.

2. Medicine/Medical. occurring periodically, especially with brief episodes; recurrent:

   Paroxysmal cough was observed in 89% of the infants studied.

Other Words From

• par·ox·ys·mal·ly adverb
• post·par·ox·ys·mal adjective
• pre·par·ox·ys·mal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paroxysmal¹

First recorded in 1570–80; paroxysm ( def ) + -al ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Soliris, the company’s biggest product with almost $4 billion in 2019 sales, is a monoclonal antibody used to treat rare conditions such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

From Fortune

Rather than studying these explosions from a distance through telescopes, Park, a physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, creates something akin to these paroxysmal blasts using the world’s highest-energy lasers.

From Science News

But this time, the city is mourning without the same paroxysmal displays of rage.

From The Daily Beast

It is daring, flippantly defiant, paroxysmal, and redundant in explosive adjectives; but it is not true to nature.

From Project Gutenberg

The crust of the earth is subject to certain movements, which are either sudden and paroxysmal, or protracted and tranquil.

From Project Gutenberg

The subsidence would be gradual, the elevation paroxysmal, and perhaps intermittent.

From Project Gutenberg

These fits of paroxysmal coughing are much more severe than spells of ordinary coughing.

From Project Gutenberg

Itching, commonly intense, is usually a conspicuous symptom; it may be more or less paroxysmal.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bouncy
• bumpy