convulsed; convulsing
: to shake or agitate violently
especially
: to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with laughter
: to become affected with convulsions
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
Soltani’s precarious fate became one of the most high profile cases internationally during the huge anti-government protests that convulsed Iran last month.
—
Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
The raid convulsed that country, and the effects still ripple through this oil-rich city, home to major petroleum companies as well as a large Venezuelan community.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 1 Feb. 2026
As the United States convulses with violent raids from emboldened ICE agents, citizens across the country have fought back with block-by-block mutual aid.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The massacre in Mashhad unfolded on January 8th, after Iranians across the country went out to protest the regime—the culmination of a movement that had convulsed the country for nearly two weeks, following the collapse of the economy.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for convulse
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Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
The raid convulsed that country, and the effects still ripple through this oil-rich city, home to major petroleum companies as well as a large Venezuelan community.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 1 Feb. 2026
As the United States convulses with violent raids from emboldened ICE agents, citizens across the country have fought back with block-by-block mutual aid.
—Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The massacre in Mashhad unfolded on January 8th, after Iranians across the country went out to protest the regime—the culmination of a movement that had convulsed the country for nearly two weeks, following the collapse of the economy.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for convulse
Cite this Entry
“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulse. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
: to shake or agitate violently
especially
: to shake or cause to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with pain
: to become affected with convulsions
some children will inevitably convulse when fever reaches a high point—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo
H. R. Litchfield & L. H. DemboLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
