convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls 

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

Synonyms

• shake
• shudder
• vibrate
• jerk
• tremble
• quiver

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

Bangkok has since been convulsed by protests against her government, and a legal petition has demanded her resignation. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 July 2025

That all went up in smoke as quickly as a car on the streets of Los Angeles, as the city was convulsed by violent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. —W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025

His announcement on Wednesday, which included a minimum tax of 10 percent on nearly all imports, caused markets to convulse as investors dumped stocks and sought safety in government bonds. —Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

The students fell ill within minutes of eating rice and potato curry, vomiting and convulsing with stomach cramps. —Peter Guo, NBC news, 2 May 2025

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

Rhymes for convulse

• repulse
• dulce
• pulse

Kids Definition

convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls 

convulsed; convulsing

: to shake violently

especially : to shake with usually uncontrolled jerky movements

convulsed with laughter

Medical Definition

convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls 

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 point

—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo