convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls How to pronounce convulse (audio)
convulsed; convulsing

transitive verb

: to shake or agitate violently
especially : to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with laughter

intransitive verb

: to become affected with convulsions
Choose the Right Synonym for convulse

shake, agitate, rock, convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence.

shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Examples of convulse in a Sentence

The patient reacted to the medication and began convulsing. The country was convulsed by war.
Recent Examples on the Web At the wave of his hand, congregants would fall to the floor shrieking and convulsing in rapturous hysterics. Laura Bullard, Vox, 20 Sep. 2024 The crowd convulsed in panic, with a voice on a loudspeaker telling people to remove batteries from their phones, according to live footage of the event. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 As the lights shut on and off and alarms blared, an actor appeared onstage and began convulsing. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 27 July 2024 Should Khamenei die while Iran is convulsed by a protest movement on this scale, the challenge to the clerical system could become existential. Sanam Vakil, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2022 See all Example Sentences for convulse 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convulse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere to pluck up, convulse, from com- + vellere to pluck — more at vulnerable

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of convulse was in 1614

Dictionary Entries Near convulse

Cite this Entry

“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulse. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

convulse

verb
con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls How to pronounce convulse (audio)
convulsed; convulsing
: to shake violently
especially : to shake with usually uncontrolled jerky movements
convulsed with laughter

Medical Definition

convulse

verb
con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls How to pronounce convulse (audio)
convulsed; convulsing

transitive verb

: to shake or agitate violently
especially : to shake or cause to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with pain

intransitive verb

: to become affected with convulsions
some children will inevitably convulse when fever reaches a high pointH. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo

More from Merriam-Webster on convulse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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