Definition of convulse
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
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Examples of convulse in a Sentence
The patient reacted to the medication and began convulsing.
The country was convulsed by war.
Recent Examples of convulse from the Web
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Midazolam is supposed to prevent an inmate from feeling pain, but several executions in which inmates lurched or convulsed have raised questions about its use.
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By the 1990s, the economy is growing at a torrid pace, with the entire coast of China convulsed with business activity and boomtowns sprouting all over the place.
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.
Origin and Etymology of convulse
Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere to pluck up, convulse, from com- + vellere to pluck — more at vulnerable
First Known Use: 1614
Synonym Discussion of convulse
CONVULSE Defined for English Language Learners
convulse
playDefinition of convulse for English Language Learners
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medical : to have an experience in which the muscles in your body shake in a sudden violent way that you are not able to control : to experience convulsions
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: to affect (someone or something) suddenly and violently
CONVULSE Defined for Kids
convulse
playDefinition of convulse for Students
convulsed
;convulsing
: to shake violently or with jerky motions I convulsed with laughter.
Medical Dictionary
convulse
playMedical Definition of convulse
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 painintransitive verb
: to become affected with convulsions some children will inevitably convulse when fever reaches a high point—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo
Learn More about convulse
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See words that rhyme with convulse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for convulse Spanish Central: Translation of convulse Nglish: Translation of convulse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of convulse for Arabic speakers
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