convulsive

adjective

con·​vul·​sive kən-ˈvəl-siv 

1

a

: constituting or producing a convulsion

b

: caused by or affected with convulsions

2

: resembling a convulsion in being violent, sudden, frantic, or spasmodic

convulsive laughter

convulsively adverb

convulsiveness noun

Synonyms

• cataclysmal
• cataclysmic
• stormy
• tempestuous
• tumultuous
• turbulent

Choose the Right Synonym for convulsive

fitful, spasmodic, convulsive mean lacking steadiness or regularity in movement.

fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.

spasmodic growth

convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

Examples of convulsive in a Sentence

the assassination of Martin Luther King was one of the most convulsive events of the 1960s

after a day of convulsive trading, the stock market was down 300 points

Recent Examples on the Web

Americans are sleepwalking toward convulsive pain, a consequence of decades of easy money policies to prevent minor pains. —George F. Will, Washington Post, 21 June 2024

In the 1890s, amid the convulsive changes of the industrial era and an upsurge in labor conflict and farmers’ political organizing, nearly four million African Americans were stripped of their voting rights. —Suzanne Mettler, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2020

That period was a convulsive time in U.S.-Cuba relations marked by the signing of the migration accords after the Balseros crisis, the shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes and the passing of the Libertad Act, also known as Helms-Burton. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024

During the convulsive phase of a seizure, breathing may be intermittent. —Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

convulsive

adjective

con·​vul·​sive -ˈvəl-siv 

1

a

: being or producing a convulsion

b

: caused by or having convulsions

2

: resembling a convulsion especially in being sudden or violent

convulsively adverb

Medical Definition

convulsive

adjective

con·​vul·​sive kən-ˈvəl-siv 

1

: constituting or producing a convulsion

convulsive disorders

2

: caused by or affected with convulsions

convulsive motions

a convulsive patient

convulsively adverb