A paroxysmof emotion is a sudden, very strong occurrence of it.
He exploded in a paroxysm of rage. [+ of]
...a paroxysm of grief.
2. countable noun
A paroxysm is a series of sudden, violent, uncontrollable movements that your body makes because you are coughing, laughing, or in great pain.
He broke into a paroxysm of coughing. [+ of]
More Synonyms of paroxysm
paroxysm in British English
(ˈpærəkˌsɪzəm)
noun
1.
an uncontrollable outburst
a paroxysm of giggling
2. pathology
a.
a sudden attack or recurrence of a disease
b.
any fit or convulsion
Derived forms
paroxysmal (ˌparoxˈysmal) or paroxysmic (ˌparoxˈysmic)
adjective
paroxysmally (ˌparoxˈysmally)
adverb
Word origin
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
paroxysm in American English
(ˈpærəkˌsɪzəm)
noun
1.
a sudden attack, or intensification of the symptoms, of a disease, usually recurring periodically
2.
a sudden outburst as of laughter, rage, or sneezing; fit; spasm
Derived forms
paroxysmal (ˌparoxˈysmal) (ˌpærəkˈsɪzməl)
adjective
Word origin
Fr paroxysme < ML paroxysmus < Gr paroxysmos < paroxynein, to excite, sharpen < para-, beyond (see para-1) + oxynein, to sharpen < oxys, sharp: see oxy-2
Examples of 'paroxysm' in a sentence
paroxysm
Slamming down the receiver, he fought back the paroxysm of coughing he could feel building in his chest.
Barbara Erskine HIDING FROM THE LIGHT (2001)
I cried in a paroxysm of irritation, but instantly I was stricken by remorse.
Howatch, Susan ABSOLUTE TRUTHS (2001)
She opened her eyes and was immediately beset by a paroxysm of coughing.
Stephanie Laurens ALL ABOUT LOVE (2001)
(noun)
Definition
a fit or convulsion
She was overcome by a paroxysm of grief.
Synonyms
outburst
an outburst of anger
attack
It brought on an attack of asthma.
fit
Once a fit has started there's nothing you can do to stop it.
seizure
I was prescribed drugs to control seizures.
flare-up (informal)
eruption
the volcanic eruption of Tambora in 1815
spasm
He felt a spasm of fear.
convulsion
He fell to the floor in the grip of an epileptic convulsion.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of attack
Definition
any sudden appearance of a disease or symptoms
It brought on an attack of asthma.
Synonyms
bout,
fit,
access,
spell,
stroke,
seizure,
spasm,
convulsion,
paroxysm
in the sense of convulsion
Definition
a violent muscular spasm
He fell to the floor in the grip of an epileptic convulsion.
Synonyms
spasm,
fit,
shaking,
seizure,
contraction,
tremor,
cramp,
contortion,
paroxysm,
throe (rare)
in the sense of eruption
the volcanic eruption of Tambora in 1815
Synonyms
explosion,
discharge,
outburst,
venting,
ejection
Nearby words of
paroxysm
parochialism
parodist
parody
paroxysm
parrot
parrot-fashion
parry
Synonyms of 'paroxysm'
paroxysm
Explore 'paroxysm' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fit
Definition
a sudden attack or convulsion, such as an epileptic seizure
Once a fit has started there's nothing you can do to stop it.
Synonyms
seizure,
attack,
bout,
spasm,
convulsion,
paroxysm
in the sense of seizure
Definition
a sudden violent attack of an illness, such as an epileptic convulsion