convulsive

adjective

con·​vul·​sive kən-ˈvəl-siv 

1

a

: constituting or producing a convulsion

b

: caused by or affected with convulsions

2

: resembling a convulsion in being violent, sudden, frantic, or spasmodic

convulsive laughter

convulsively adverb

convulsiveness noun

Synonyms

• cataclysmal
• cataclysmic
• stormy
• tempestuous
• tumultuous
• turbulent

Choose the Right Synonym for convulsive

fitful, spasmodic, convulsive mean lacking steadiness or regularity in movement.

fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.

spasmodic growth

convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

Examples of convulsive in a Sentence

the assassination of Martin Luther King was one of the most convulsive events of the 1960s

after a day of convulsive trading, the stock market was down 300 points

Recent Examples on the Web

During the convulsive phase of a seizure, breathing may be intermittent. —Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024

But remember: Not all seizures are convulsive or cause a loss of consciousness. —Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024

But the sight of him in it reduces his mother to convulsive sobs. —Colin Thubron, The New York Review of Books, 19 Jan. 2023

The third anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack comes during the most convulsive period in American politics in at least a generation, with Congress barely able to keep up with the basics of governing, and the start of the presidential nominating contests just over a week away. —Lisa Mascaro, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2024

But recent developments are starting to change that equation, most of them stemming in some way from the convulsive effects of climate change. —Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023

If not beautiful, Varo’s escape from the violent chaos of Europe, via Morocco, was certainly convulsive and surely traumatic. —Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2023

In other words, a convulsive episode is not a definitive indication of epilepsy. —Diana Apetauerova, Verywell Health, 24 July 2023

In this case, the person is experiencing something known as status epilepticus, of which there are two types: convulsive status epilepticus and non-convulsive status epilepticus, the Epilepsy Foundation says. —Patti Greco, Health.com, 9 Nov. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

convulsive

adjective

con·​vul·​sive -ˈvəl-siv 

1

a

: being or producing a convulsion

b

: caused by or having convulsions

2

: resembling a convulsion especially in being sudden or violent

convulsively adverb

Medical Definition

convulsive

adjective

con·​vul·​sive kən-ˈvəl-siv 

1

: constituting or producing a convulsion

convulsive disorders

2

: caused by or affected with convulsions

convulsive motions

a convulsive patient

convulsively adverb