convulsion
noun
con·vul·sion
kən-ˈvəl-shən 
1
a
: an abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles
b
2
a
: a violent disturbance
b
: an uncontrolled fit : paroxysm
Examples of convulsion in a Sentence
the Russian Revolution was one of the major convulsions of the 20th century
Recent Examples on the Web
For more severe and potentially life-threatening infections, symptoms may include headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
—
Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Common symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Latin American nations, for all their political convulsions and repressive periods, have a rich history of social movements grounded in collective ideals.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
The stock market’s convulsions in reaction to the trade measures are poised to make matters worse, leaving collectors with smaller art budgets.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulsion
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Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Common symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Latin American nations, for all their political convulsions and repressive periods, have a rich history of social movements grounded in collective ideals.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 30 June 2025
The stock market’s convulsions in reaction to the trade measures are poised to make matters worse, leaving collectors with smaller art budgets.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulsion
Cite this Entry
“Convulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulsion. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
convulsion
noun
con·vul·sion
kən-ˈvəl-shən
1
: an abnormal violent contraction or series of contractions of the muscles that is not under control of the will
2
: a violent disturbance
Medical Definition
convulsion
noun
con·vul·sion
kən-ˈvəl-shən
1
: an abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles
—often used in plural
a patient suffering from convulsions
2
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