Synonyms of convulsive

convulsive

adjective

kən-ˈvəl-siv 

1

as in turbulent

marked by sudden or violent disturbance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turbulent
• cataclysmic
• tumultuous
• spasmodic
• tempestuous
• stormy
• fitful
• sporadic
• boisterous
• cataclysmal
• riotous
• noisy
• furious
• clamorous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• peaceful
• undisturbed
• placid
• serene
• tranquil
• unperturbed
• untroubled
• unshaken

2

as in violent

marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violent
• ferocious
• turbulent
• fierce
• furious
• volcanic
• rabid
• rough
• explosive
• paroxysmal
• vicious
• tumultuous
• cyclonic
• brutal
• tempestuous
• hot
• stormy
• savage
• aggressive
• volatile
• blood-and-guts
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• bang-bang
• knock-down, drag-out
• barbarous
• hammer-and-tongs
• hostile
• frantic
• destructive
• contentious
• mad
• antagonistic
• belligerent
• frenzied
• bellicose
• combative
• pugnacious
• agitated
• cataclysmic
• combustible
• truculent
• gladiatorial
• quarrelsome
• assertive
• ruinous
• cataclysmal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• nonviolent
• calm
• tranquil
• serene
• pacific
• halcyon
• nonbelligerent
• unaggressive

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective convulsive contrast with its synonyms?

The words fitful and spasmodic are common synonyms of convulsive. While all three words mean "lacking steadiness or regularity in movement," convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

Where would fitful be a reasonable alternative to convulsive?

Although the words fitful and convulsive have much in common, fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

How do spasmodic and fitful relate to one another, in the sense of convulsive?

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

spasmodic growth

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of convulsive

Patel’s past proposals, if carried out, would lead to convulsive change for an agency tasked not only with investigating violations of federal law but also protecting the country from terrorist attacks, foreign espionage and other threats. —Eric Tucker and Alan Suderman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024

Coming at the end of a convulsive final day in Baku, Azerbaijan, the conclusion of the Conference of the Parties was greeted by applause. —Antonio Piemontese, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2024

Americans are sleepwalking toward convulsive pain, a consequence of decades of easy money policies to prevent minor pains. —George F. Will, Washington Post, 21 June 2024

In the 1890s, amid the convulsive changes of the industrial era and an upsurge in labor conflict and farmers’ political organizing, nearly four million African Americans were stripped of their voting rights. —Suzanne Mettler, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2020