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 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 See all Example Sentences for convulse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulse

Verb

Heading into the offseason, the Phillies were reportedly looking to shake their roster up a bit, even exploring the idea of trading All-Star infielder Alec Bohm.

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
The captaincy tag had appeared to shake him from a foul mood that has festered as the series has worn on exacerbated by the youthful exuberance of brash upstart Sam Konstas, who has really gotten under his skin.

Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025