Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective convulsive contrast with its synonyms?

The words fitful and spasmodic are common synonyms of convulsive. While all three words mean "lacking steadiness or regularity in movement," convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

Where would fitful be a reasonable alternative to convulsive?

Although the words fitful and convulsive have much in common, fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

How do spasmodic and fitful relate to one another, in the sense of convulsive?

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

spasmodic growth

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 convulsive The reversal of values, principles, and ideals has been convulsive. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 6 Feb. 2025 Patel’s past proposals, if carried out, would lead to convulsive change for an agency tasked not only with investigating violations of federal law but also protecting the country from terrorist attacks, foreign espionage and other threats. Eric Tucker and Alan Suderman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024 Coming at the end of a convulsive final day in Baku, Azerbaijan, the conclusion of the Conference of the Parties was greeted by applause. Antonio Piemontese, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
  • These steps prevent, rather than heal, costly losses that weaken a company’s cash position, especially in turbulent times.
    Dean Kaplan, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • This time, there’s still some uneasiness around the organization, mainly rooted in its turbulent recent past.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Combs apologized for his violent behavior soon after the video's release.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • For that reason, Torres-Chirinos is also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • She and her fellow hybrids are sent to investigate the site, leading to the encounter of mysterious life forms — including one ferocious Xenomorph.
    Nick Romano, EW.com, 23 May 2025
  • Both general elections are expected to be competitive, but only the New Jersey Democratic primary has featured ferocious competition out of the four party primaries.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
  • Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.
    Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • New York trailed by 13 with 5:38 left in the game and tried to continue the series’ streak of someone — Knicks or Pacers — making a furious fourth quarter comeback.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 27 May 2025
  • Connecticut has funneled $12.5 billion in surpluses since 2017 to build reserves and scale back pension debt, a furious pace that far outstrips any similar effort in modern history.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Other sites may hold clues about volcanic activity on the Moon or the solar system’s early history.
    Zhenbo Wang, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
  • Hundreds of times more intense and brighter than those seen on Earth, they're caused both by high-energy particles from the sun but also from Jupiter's moon, Io — the most volcanic body in the solar system.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • But then a summer came and went, with rabid fans left waiting (due to the writers' and actors' guild strikes) to see which Fisher brother, if any, Belly chooses in the end of the onscreen adaptation.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Lawrence often has this frisky, rabid grin that’s irresistible to watch but also scary.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on convulsive

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