paroxysmal
Marked by fits
Paroxysmal describes something occurring in sudden, intense episodes or fits.
Medical contexts use it for symptoms that spike abruptly: paroxysmal coughing, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
The word suggests violent but temporary outbursts—whether of pain, emotion, or activity—that subside before returning: paroxysmal rage, paroxysmal laughter.
Forcible taking or convulsion
- attackAggressive act against another
- fitProper or healthy
- episodeSerialized content unit
- flare-upSudden recurrence of symptoms
recurrent · intermittent · periodic · sporadic · cyclical · relapse · remission · transient
Sudden emotional release
- fitProper or healthy
- tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
- rageIntense, violent anger
- furyIntense violent anger
hysteria · sobbing · weeping · laughter · coughing · sneezing · meltdown · frenzy
Forcible taking or convulsion
- convulsionSudden involuntary muscle contractions
- tachycardiaExcessively fast pulse
- atrial fibrillationDisorganized cardiac rhythm disorder
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
epilepsy · myoclonus · tremor · migraine · angina · asthma attack · hypertensive crisis · nocturnal
Intensely forceful in feeling
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
- extremeFurthest from moderate
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- violentInvolving physical force
explosive · uncontrollable · convulsive · acute · severe · profound · powerful · turbulent
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- instantaneousHappening without any delay
- precipitousExtremely steep, almost vertical
- swiftMoving with speed
rapid · unanticipated · startling · spontaneous · impulsive · flash · momentary · immediate
seizure
Forcible taking or convulsion
flare-up · recurrent · intermittent · periodic · sporadic · cyclical · relapse · remission · transient · irregular
outburst
Sudden emotional release
fury · hysteria · sobbing · weeping · laughter · coughing · sneezing · meltdown · frenzy · conniption
seizure
Forcible taking or convulsion
- convulsionSudden involuntary muscle contractions
- tachycardiaExcessively fast pulse
- atrial fibrillationDisorganized cardiac rhythm disorder
arrhythmia · epilepsy · myoclonus · tremor · migraine · angina · asthma attack · hypertensive crisis · nocturnal · fibrillation
vehement
Intensely forceful in feeling
- fierceViolently intense or aggressive
- extremeFurthest from moderate
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
violent · explosive · uncontrollable · convulsive · acute · severe · profound · powerful · turbulent · ferocious
abrupt
Sharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- instantaneousHappening without any delay
- precipitousExtremely steep, almost vertical
swift · rapid · unanticipated · startling · spontaneous · impulsive · flash · momentary · immediate · explosive
paroxysmalgradual
Developing slowly over time
steady · progressive · continuous · sustained · constant