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

• turbulent
• cataclysmic

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

The buck took a convulsive jump that carried him about 30 ft. and piled up. —Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2025

During the past six months, Bondi has presided over the most convulsive transition of power in the Justice Department since the Watergate era, and perhaps in the hundred-and-fifty-five-year history of the department. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025

But for anyone with a taste for operatic violence and fountains of blood as shotgun and assault rifle blasts send bodies flying in slo-mo or dancing like convulsive marionettes, Gareth Evans’ gritty neo-noir will be just the ticket. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025

When the train pulls away — and his target serenely waves goodbye through the window — Popeye’s convulsive rage is a quintessential Hackman flourish. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for convulsive

• compulsive
• expulsive
• impulsive
• propulsive
• repulsive
• electroconvulsive

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