convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls 

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

Synonyms

• agitate
• bucket
• jerk
• jiggle
• joggle
• jolt
• jounce
• judder [chiefly British]
• quake
• quiver
• shake
• shudder
• vibrate
• wobble
• wabble

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

While speaking onstage at his church The Potter's House of Dallas on Nov. 24, Jakes, 67, was seen lowering his microphone and looking downward before seemingly convulsing. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 Dec. 2024

Smith appeared to writhe and convulse on the gurney for at least four minutes during the execution. —Marty Roney, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024

The whale convulsed on the surface of the waves for a moment before charging again. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

Amsterdam, like many major cities across the world, has been convulsed by large protests condemning the ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza, the deaths of more than 43,000 Palestinians and the destruction of much of the enclave. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls 

convulsed; convulsing

: to shake violently

especially : to shake with usually uncontrolled jerky movements

convulsed with laughter

Medical Definition

convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls 

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 point

—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo