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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of convulse
Then, as the global economy convulsed after the trauma of World War I, British economist John Maynard Keynes set this belief on its head.
—
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
As the fungus takes hold, the ant begins to convulse, shaking it from its canopy nest back down to the ground.
—New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025
The venture will unleash yet more construction onto Bonds Ranch, an 8-mile farm street now convulsed by rapid suburbanization.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2025
Local Muslim resident Asif Qureshi said his hometown has never seen violence like that which unfolded last month, condemning the clashes that convulsed the historically peaceful city.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulse
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2025
As the fungus takes hold, the ant begins to convulse, shaking it from its canopy nest back down to the ground.
—New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025
The venture will unleash yet more construction onto Bonds Ranch, an 8-mile farm street now convulsed by rapid suburbanization.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2025
Local Muslim resident Asif Qureshi said his hometown has never seen violence like that which unfolded last month, condemning the clashes that convulsed the historically peaceful city.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulse
Verb
-
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić shaking hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
Nikki Bella and Lola Vice were shaking their hips in the middle of the ring, and Wade Barrett encouraged Michael Cole to show them what he’s got.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
All those sharp tool and drills are enough to make anyone shudder.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
-
When only two vehicles remain on the far edge of the lot, the woman twists the key in the ignition and the idling car shudders still.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Somewhere around hour two of not moving, my hamstrings began to vibrate like the low end of a baby grand.—
Peter Rubin,
Longreads,
8 July 2025
-
Their beating wings vibrate, inadvertently loosening pollen, which then falls onto the female part of the flower.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Having already had to navigate a 180-degree turn around a roundabout at 80km per hour, the road jerked to the left with around 1.6km remaining and, with some riders forced wide, the group was split.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
-
The passenger jerked forward and their belongings were thrown to the floor.—
Abhirup Roy,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Wires were seen submerged in pooling water across the floor and high winds made the floor and walls of the facility’s tents tremble, reporter video from CNN affiliate Spectrum News 13 showed.—
Devon M. Sayers,
CNN Money,
3 July 2025
-
The sound is electronic and rhythmically driven; the singing trembles with desire and confusion.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Narrow branches quivered with the arrival of house finches, gray catbirds, northern cardinals, and other species residing in Washington, DC.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
27 June 2025
-
Those emotional generators are apparent on the title track, a minimal hymn of salvation wrapped in Springsteen’s quivering voice.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulse. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share