convulses; convulsed; convulsing
1
a
medical
: to have an experience in which the muscles in your body shake in a sudden violent way that you are not able to control : to experience convulsions
The patient reacted to the medication and began convulsing.
b
—used when something (such as laughter) causes a person's whole body to shake
The audience convulsed [=shook] with/in laughter.
—usually used as (be) convulsedThe audience was convulsed with/by laughter.
2
formal
: to affect (someone or something) suddenly and violently
The country was convulsed by war.
Riots convulsed the nation.
Cite this Entry
“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/convulse. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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