convulsion

con·vul·sion | \ kən-ˈvəl-shən

How to pronounce convulsion (audio)

\

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

Other Words from convulsion Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about convulsion

Keep scrolling for more

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 poor characters, too, are hopelessly stuck in their money-grubbing mind-set, fighting each other before the movie explodes, invariably, in a revolutionary convulsion of violence against their class overlords. — Ryu Spaeth, The New Republic, "The Irishman and Parasite: Two Paths for the Hustle," 11 Dec. 2019 Setting all this grammatical soul-searching in motion was a global financial convulsion. — Fortune, "America’s CEOs Seek a New Purpose for the Corporation," 19 Aug. 2019 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

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about convulsion

Dictionary Entries near convulsion

convulsion root

Statistics for convulsion

Last Updated

14 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Convulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulsion. Accessed 13 Jul. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

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

con·vul·sion | \ kən-ˈvəl-shən

\

Kids Definition of convulsion

: an attack of powerful involuntary muscular contractions

convulsion

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

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

parsimonious

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.