conniption

noun

con·​nip·​tion kə-ˈnip-shən How to pronounce conniption (audio)
: a fit of rage, hysteria, or alarm
went into conniptions
He had a conniption when his favorite TV program was preempted by a political speech.

Examples of conniption in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, following some ownership conniptions and a financial restructuring, McLaren Automotive is renewed, its previously rather technocratic approach tempered by a strong sense of history. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026 Kane scored two goals in England’s opening-game win over Croatia but missed a gimme against Ghana yesterday in a 0-0 draw, sending pubs into conniption. — Sean Gregory, Time, 24 June 2026 What kind of developer puts his money into an indie documentary that might give his business-as-usual peers — not to mention investors, luxury condo buyers and other beneficiaries of Miami’s prolonged but problematic and plainly inequitable real-estate boom — a conniption? — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026 One involves a séance for Mary held by a mysterious interloper named Imogen (FKA Twigs), whose revelations send the singer into self-harming conniptions. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conniption

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conniption was in 1833

Rhymes for conniption

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Browse Nearby Words

conning tower
conniption
conniption bug
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conniption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conniption. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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