Meaning & use
paroxysms
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“paroxysms” is a form of “paroxysm”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralformal
Sudden, violent outbursts of strong emotion or physical activity, such as laughter, rage or coughing.
Grammar: Plural of paroxysm; usually followed by of: paroxysms of laughter.
Patterns
- paroxysms of laughter
- paroxysms of rage
- paroxysms of something
The audience collapsed into paroxysms of laughter during the final scene.
He shook with paroxysms of rage when he saw the damage.
The child was seized by paroxysms of coughing all night.
nounpluralmedical
Sudden attacks or sharp worsenings of a disease, often with intense symptoms.
Grammar: A medical use; the attacks come in waves.
Patterns
- paroxysms of pain
- paroxysms of a disease
Patients may experience paroxysms of pain that last several minutes.
The illness is marked by paroxysms followed by long calm periods.
Doctors recorded the frequency of her paroxysms over several weeks.
Word forms
| singular | paroxysm |
|---|
Common combinations
- paroxysms of laughter
- His impression sent the room into paroxysms of laughter.
- paroxysms of rage
- The coach fell into paroxysms of rage after the missed penalty.
- paroxysms of coughing
- She woke in paroxysms of coughing.
- paroxysms of grief
- He wept in paroxysms of grief at the funeral.
- paroxysms of pain
- The condition causes occasional paroxysms of pain.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fits
- Fits is the plain everyday word, while paroxysms sounds more dramatic and literary.
- outbursts
- Outbursts focus on sudden release of emotion, while paroxysms suggest a physical, almost uncontrollable intensity.
- spasms
- Spasms are mainly muscle contractions, while paroxysms can also be emotional.
- convulsions
- Convulsions are violent bodily shaking, which is stronger and more medical than paroxysms of laughter.
Opposites
Word family
- paroxysm noun
- singular form; one sudden attack or outburst
- paroxysmal adjective
- occurring in sudden attacks, as in paroxysmal cough
Commonly confused: paroxysms or parasitism?
paroxysms vs parasitism
Parasitism is when one organism lives off another. It is unrelated to paroxysms despite the similar start.
Practice
The comedian's final joke sent the crowd into ____ of laughter.
Choose one answer.
Paroxysms of laughter means sudden, uncontrollable bursts of laughing. The other words have similar openings but do not fit the phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “paroxysms”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.