convulsion

noun

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con·vul·sion | \ kən-ˈvəl-shən

Definition of convulsion

1a : an abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles

b : seizure sense 2a

2a : a violent disturbance

b : an uncontrolled fit : paroxysm

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Examples of convulsion in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web The Elazig convulsion, and a much smaller tremor this week, add urgency to warnings by officials and scientists of a calamity. — Taylan Bilgic, Bloomberg.com, "Istanbul Earthquake Warnings Underlined by Eastern Turkey Tremor," 10 May 2020 The pain comes back, along with jaundice, convulsions, coma, and death. — Popular Science, "From the death cap to the alcohol inky: seven poisonous mushrooms you definitely don’t want to eat," 11 Mar. 2020 Scary scene at Flames practice a week ago Friday when TJ Brodie collapsed to the ice in convulsions. — BostonGlobe.com, "You're using a browser set to private or incognito mode.," 23 Nov. 2019 Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a bacterial infection that can cause intense and violent coughing fits, and can lead to pneumonia, convulsions, encephalopathy (brain damage) or even death. — Tara Haelle, New York Times, "The Vaccines You Need During Pregnancy," 17 Apr. 2020 Withdrawal itself is not life-threatening, but complications such as convulsions, epileptic seizures and cardiac arrhythmias can be deadly. — Fox News, "Closing Pennsylvania liquor stores could lead to withdrawal, death: experts," 27 Mar. 2020 The pain comes back, along with jaundice, convulsions, coma, and death. — Popular Science, "From the death cap to the alcohol inky: seven poisonous mushrooms you definitely don’t want to eat," 11 Mar. 2020 Symptoms in people who are not pregnant can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle aches, the CDC said. — Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, "Listeria outbreak linked to enoki mushrooms kills 4, sickens 36 across 17 states," 11 Mar. 2020 That may be in part because Brazil had such convulsions in 2015 and 2016, when the economy was in recession and some of the country’s most powerful politicians were being arrested for corruption. — The Economist, "Jair Bolsonaro’s contentious first year in office," 4 Jan. 2020

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

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Last Updated

31 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Convulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulsion. Accessed 31 May. 2020.

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More Definitions for convulsion

convulsion

noun

English Language Learners Definition of convulsion

medical : a sudden violent shaking of the muscles in your body that you are unable to control

: a sudden experience of something (such as laughter) that shakes or moves your body

: a sudden change or disturbance that affects a country, organization, etc.

See the full definition for convulsion in the English Language Learners Dictionary

convulsion

noun

con·vul·sion | \ kən-ˈvəl-shən

Kids Definition of convulsion

: an attack of powerful involuntary muscular contractions

convulsion

noun

con·vul·sion | \ kən-ˈvəl-shən

Medical Definition of convulsion

1 : an abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles —often used in plural a patient suffering from convulsions

2 : seizure sense 1

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