convulsion

noun

con·​vul·​sion kən-ˈvəl-shən 

1

a

: an abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles

b

: seizure sense 2a

2

a

: a violent disturbance

b

: an uncontrolled fit : paroxysm

convulsionary

kən-ˈvəl-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• bouleversement
• cataclysm
• earthquake
• paroxysm
• storm
• tempest
• tumult
• upheaval
• uproar

Examples of convulsion in a Sentence

the Russian Revolution was one of the major convulsions of the 20th century

Recent Examples on the Web

Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and death. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024

About one child in every 1,000 who contract measles can end up with brain swelling, or encephalitis, which can cause convulsions and leave children deaf or with intellectual disabilities, the CDC says. —The Enquirer, 15 Mar. 2024

The global economic convulsion that would follow an interruption of Taiwanese chips could well exceed those caused by the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. —Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024

There would be many more funerals to come, many more convulsions of grief. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2023

High levels of lead exposure can cause severe brain and central nervous system damage, leading to intellectual disabilities, behavioral disorders, coma, convulsions and death, according to the World Health Organization. —Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024

After recovering from the convulsions and loss of consciousness, the person is usually fatigued and confused for several minutes to several hours. —Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024

Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history who maintained his power in the face of dramatic convulsions in the Republican Party for almost two decades, will step down from that position in November. —Michael Tackett, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024

All the big streaming services are going through some kind of convulsion. —Nick Statt, The Verge, 26 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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

: seizure sense 1