convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls How to pronounce convulse (audio)
convulsed; convulsing

transitive verb

: to shake or agitate violently
especially : to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with laughter

intransitive verb

: to become affected with convulsions
Choose the Right Synonym for convulse

shake, agitate, rock, convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence.

shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Examples of convulse in a Sentence

The patient reacted to the medication and began convulsing. The country was convulsed by war.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Testament of Ann Lee, a staggering, surreal musical charting the rise of the 18th-century religious sect the Shakers and their titular leader, as embodied by a wild-haired, convulsing Amanda Seyfried. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2025 As arson and violence convulsed Black neighborhoods, white support for the movement plummeted. Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025 The ocean convulsed in tsunamis that rose 80 ft. high along the Chilean coast. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 30 July 2025 One of the 50 boys starts convulsing on the road, and as Jonsson and Hoffman’s characters walk backwards to see what happens, soldiers have their guns trained on his twitching body before a gunshot rings out. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for convulse

Word History

Etymology

Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere to pluck up, convulse, from com- + vellere to pluck — more at vulnerable

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of convulse was in 1614

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulse. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

convulse

verb
con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls How to pronounce convulse (audio)
convulsed; convulsing
: to shake violently
especially : to shake with usually uncontrolled jerky movements
convulsed with laughter

Medical Definition

convulse

verb
con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls How to pronounce convulse (audio)
convulsed; convulsing

transitive verb

: to shake or agitate violently
especially : to shake or cause to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with pain

intransitive verb

: to become affected with convulsions
some children will inevitably convulse when fever reaches a high pointH. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo

More from Merriam-Webster on convulse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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