Thesaurus results for CONVULSE

Q: How is the word 'convulse' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convulse are agitate , rock , and shake . While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm. // spectators were convulsed with laughter

Q: In what contexts can 'agitate' take the place of 'convulse'?

The synonyms agitate and convulse are sometimes interchangeable, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring. // an ocean agitated by storms

Q: When could 'rock' be used to replace 'convulse'?

In some situations, the words rock and convulse are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval. // the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Q: Where would 'shake' be a reasonable alternative to 'convulse'?

While the synonyms shake and convulse are close in meaning, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. // shake well before using

convulse

verb

kən-ˈvəls

Definition of convulse next

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements convulsing with silent laughter as the inept pianist blithely played on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word convulse different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convulse are agitate, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

In what contexts can agitate take the place of convulse?

The synonyms agitate and convulse are sometimes interchangeable, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When could rock be used to replace convulse?

In some situations, the words rock and convulse are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Where would shake be a reasonable alternative to convulse?

While the synonyms shake and convulse are close in meaning, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of convulse But that is exactly what the 72-year-old devout Catholic and grandmother has become to some in this northern California county — which has been convulsed by conspiracy theories about voter fraud and other extremist ideologies over the last three years. —

Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 Advertisement The Biden administration has for months urged Israel, Hezbollah and other parties to avoid a wider conflict in the region, where fighting between Israel and Hamas has already convulsed the Gaza Strip. —

Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024 In exchange for $250,000 in cash, Carl is finally returned to his family, convulsing and covered in his own bodily fluids. —

Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 July 2024 The country is not convulsed with riots, hyperinflation, or mass immiseration. —

Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for convulse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulse

Verb

In the space of six hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, Yoon shook the global community of democracies by suspending ordinary law.

William Pesek, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Ulta also raised its full-year outlook slightly as the beauty retailer shook off fears that the company was facing increasing competition and slowing demand for makeup and skincare.

Michele Luhn, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024