convulsion

noun

con·vul·sion kən-ˈvəl-shən

Synonyms of convulsion next

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

: seizure sense 2a

: a violent disturbance

: an uncontrolled fit : paroxysm

convulsionary

kən-ˈvəl-shə-ˌner-ē

adjective

Examples of convulsion in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web America had won the Cold War, vanquished the stagflation of the 1970s, and quieted the social convulsions of the 1960s and ’70s. —

Paul A. Gigot, WSJ, 10 Nov. 2023 When to Call a Healthcare Provider While symptoms like convulsions and loss of consciousness can be alarming, not every seizure may be a medical emergency. —

Mark Gurarie, Health, 28 Aug. 2023 Those inside the cloud reported convulsions and fainting; in high concentrations, carbon dioxide is an asphyxiate. —

Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 24 July 2023 Education The Consciousness Project George F. Will Explaining campus, and other, convulsions. —

Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 9 Nov. 2023 In this phase, failing organs rebound, but patients might experience alopecia (hair loss) and other complications, including delirium, stupor and coma, convulsions, adrenal hemorrhage, and pancreatitis. —

Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 Oct. 2023 After more than 40 years studying humans and other primates, Sapolsky has reached the conclusion that virtually all human behavior is as far beyond our conscious control as the convulsions of a seizure, the division of cells or the beating of our hearts. —

Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023 Some permanent changes among survivors have been noted, including persistent convulsions. —

Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2023 As with America, Anchorage was undergoing convulsions at the time, as civil rights struggles and the Vietnam War divided families, while recovery from the Good Friday Earthquake was sped along by the arrival of the oil industry, about to transform the small city into a boomtown. —

David James, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convulsion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.