as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
convulsing with silent laughter as the inept pianist blithely played on
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of convulse
The giddiest among them were new DWTS pro Jan Ravnik and Richter's wife, Jennifer Herrera Richter, who convulsed with joy in the seats behind Richter, Bersten, and Slater.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
In the video, she's seen convulsing as her body reacts in shock.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
The French Wars of Religion had begun – and would convulse the country for the next 36 years.
—Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 3 Dec. 2025
And Reino and his partner in comedy, Jessica McKenna do stupid and impressive extremely well — a combination that has their fans showing up in droves and convulsing with laughter.
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulse
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
In the video, she's seen convulsing as her body reacts in shock.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
The French Wars of Religion had begun – and would convulse the country for the next 36 years.
—Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 3 Dec. 2025
And Reino and his partner in comedy, Jessica McKenna do stupid and impressive extremely well — a combination that has their fans showing up in droves and convulsing with laughter.
—Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulse
Verb
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The dust-up came during a break in the proceedings, when activist and Army veteran Ivan Raiklin approached former cop Michael Fanone to shake his hand.—
Brian Niemietz,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
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This horrific violence will not shake my belief in the importance of peacefully resolving disputes.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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No one spoke until Chuky shuddered his head and this time without laughing said, Shit, that’s crazy.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Williams thinks enough of himself to be himself, to keep his nails painted, to mimic crowning himself like LeBron James after big plays at USC, to graduate to his current too-cool-for-you celebratory shudder; the Iceman cometh, the Iceman runneth over.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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From vibrating steering wheels, haptic smartwatches, and even gaming controllers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Jan. 2026
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The vibrating bristles of this electric version can break up and sweep away plaque more effectively.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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That jerking motion, combined with detergent and water, loosens dirt from the surfaces of clothing.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The kind of person who trembles at watermarks is not the sort of person who dares to put marble in the dishwasher.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
16 Oct. 2025
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The Maine trembled and angled up, then listed to port, throwing him from his chair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Over the years, Andrews has garnered comparisons to fellow Arizona native Linda Ronstadt for her rich, clear tone, which can modulate from quivering vibrato to crystalline belt on a dime.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
20 Jan. 2026
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Danes is a four-time Golden Globe winner who brought her quivering lower lip to bear on the role of an author who thinks her next-door neighbor killed his wife.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulse. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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