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

Example 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 During this exceptionally turbulent time, the Middle East was convulsed by the U.S. occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, civil war, regime breakdown, state collapse, proxy wars, and refugee flight. —

Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025 Chaos has convulsed the heart of the European Union whose sanctions and military support for Kyiv have proven to be a thorn in the side of Putin's intentions. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024 By now the firing was continuous, the Curtiss convulsing with each blast. —

Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024 Some twitched and convulsed like spiders who’d cruelly had several legs removed by wayward children. —

Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for convulse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulse

Verb

My desire is stronger for us, even in just this country, to heal, and to talk, and to shake each other’s hands.

— Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025
Add ice, seal tins and shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds.

— Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025