convulse

verb

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con·vulse | \ kən-ˈvəls

convulsed; convulsing

Definition of convulse

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 Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About convulse

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 In a whole other world, the comic voices of Jeff Dunham convulse Mohegan Sun. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 July 2022 Extraordinarily violent protests convulse Kazakhstan. — Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2022 After receiving the sedative, Grant began to convulse and throw up. — Catherine Garcia, The Week, 28 Oct. 2021 Kevin saw Zay, his linebacker and one of Davon’s closest friends, convulse in anguish. — Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2021 Footage from the match showed the 18-year-old Mexican boxer being hit with a flurry of punches near the end of the fourth round, and Zapata appeared to convulse after 31-year-old Houle landed an uppercut that caused her mouthguard to fly out. — Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, 3 Sep. 2021 For the 2 million residents of Gaza, last month’s hostilities were just the latest in an endless cycle of war, the fourth to convulse the Palestinian enclave along the Mediterranean in just 13 years. — Washington Post, 6 June 2021 Zombro crumbled to the ground, lay motionless for a moment face down, then began to convulse uncontrollably as teammates and a trainer rushed toward the mound. — orlandosentinel.com, 5 June 2021 Volcanoes usually twitch and convulse before an eruption, but some dangerous phenomena give no discernible fanfare. — New York Times, 18 Mar. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'convulse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.