Synonyms for paroxysm
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Climax — chiefly followed by of, a sudden outburst of violent activity or feeling; also, the most severe part of an…
2. Fit — A period (especially one of several recurring periods) during the course of an illness when symptoms worsen…
3. Convulsion
convulsion, spasm, pang, throe
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
A period (especially one of several recurring periods) during the course of an illness when symptoms worsen; a sudden attack of a disease symptom, such as a bout of coughing or a seizure.
- n. 2
Chiefly followed by of: a sudden outburst of violent activity or feeling; also, the most severe part of an activity or incident; the climax.
- n. 3
A violent occurrence of a natural phenomenon, such as an earthquake, thunderstorm, or volcanic eruption; specifically (volcanology), the most explosive event during a series of volcanic eruptions.
Forms
- Plural
- paroxysms → climaxes, fits, exacervations, convulsions…
Choose the right word
Paroxysm applies to an alternately recurring and receding pain, which comes as it were in waves; the paroxysm is the rising of the wave.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- climax The audience sobbed throughout the climax of the movie.
- outburst She always has an emotional outburst when arguing.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| paroxysm | steady | |
| climax | steady | |
| convulsion | falling | |
| outburst | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- fit1
- 4 letters
- pang1, gust1
- 5 letters
- spasm2, throe
- 6 letters
- access2, climax2
- 8 letters
- outburst2
- 10 letters
- visitation4, convulsion3
- 12 letters
- exacervation
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (spasm2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- paroxysme
- Italiano
- parossismo
- Español
- clímax