paroxysm

[ par-uhk-siz-uhm, puh-rok‐ ]

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.

paroxysm

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌparoxˈysmal, adjective
• ˌparoxˈysmally, adverb

Other Words From

• par·ox·ys·mal [par-, uh, k-, siz, -m, uh, l, p, uh, -rok‐] par·ox·ys·mic [par-, uh, k-, siz, -mik, p, uh, -rok‐] adjective
• hy·per·par·ox·ysm noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paroxysm¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of paroxysm¹

C17: via French from Medieval Latin paroxysmus annoyance, from Greek paroxusmos, from paroxunein to goad, from para- ¹(intensifier) + oxunein to sharpen, from oxus sharp

Example Sentences

"The idea that you could have a Christian nationalist position would have just set Jefferson into paroxysms of rage," John said.

From Salon

Proving that such paroxysms can descend on anyone at any time and anywhere, the 31-year-old recalls being in Hawaii when it hit her.

From Salon

I like to think that’s how everyone reacts when they initially see Delon, whose beauty has long inspired paroxysms of rapture.

From New York Times

Even weirder, the finales of his prepared speeches are now accompanied by spooky Q-Anon-inspired music, which seems to send the crowd into paroxysms of ecstasy.

From Salon

During one scene, in which a guilt-ridden Judas suffers paroxysms of remorse, the lights blink on and off at jarringly sporadic intervals to heighten our sense of his psychological turmoil.

From New York Times

Related Words

• convulsion
• flare-up