convulsion
noun
con·vul·sion
kən-ˈvəl-shən 
1
a
: an abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles
b
2
a
: a violent disturbance
b
: an uncontrolled fit : paroxysm
Synonyms
Examples of convulsion in a Sentence
the Russian Revolution was one of the major convulsions of the 20th century
Recent Examples on the Web
Death camas: All parts of the death camas plant contain toxic alkaloids that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and coma if ingested.
—
Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2024
About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis — swelling of the brain — that can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
Serious infections may lead to headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
—John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 12 Feb. 2024
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for convulsion 
Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2024
About 1 child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis — swelling of the brain — that can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
Serious infections may lead to headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
—John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 12 Feb. 2024
Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for convulsion
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convulsion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near convulsion
Cite this Entry
“Convulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulsion. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
convulsion
noun
con·vul·sion
kən-ˈvəl-shən
1
: an abnormal violent contraction or series of contractions of the muscles that is not under control of the will
2
: a violent disturbance
Medical Definition
convulsion
noun
con·vul·sion
kən-ˈvəl-shən
1
: an abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles
—often used in plural
a patient suffering from convulsions
2
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