Synonyms of convulse

convulse

verb

kən-ˈvəls 

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

• shake
• shudder
• vibrate
• jerk
• tremble
• quiver
• shiver
• twitch
• agitate
• quake
• sway
• wobble
• jiggle
• bucket
• jolt
• wabble
• throb
• joggle
• jounce
• judder
• flicker
• swing
• rock
• wave
• flutter
• pulsate
• oscillate
• waver
• undulate
• chatter
• thrill
• palpitate
• fluctuate
• pulse
• quaver
• dodder
• pit-a-pat
• beat
• pitter-patter

Synonym Chooser

How is the word convulse different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convulse are agitate, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

In what contexts can agitate take the place of convulse?

The synonyms agitate and convulse are sometimes interchangeable, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When could rock be used to replace convulse?

In some situations, the words rock and convulse are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Where would shake be a reasonable alternative to convulse?

While the synonyms shake and convulse are close in meaning, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of convulse

The ocean convulsed in tsunamis that rose 80 ft. high along the Chilean coast. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 30 July 2025

One of the 50 boys starts convulsing on the road, and as Jonsson and Hoffman’s characters walk backwards to see what happens, soldiers have their guns trained on his twitching body before a gunshot rings out. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 July 2025

First elevating an early-career U.S. Geological Survey researcher, Felisa Wolfe-Simon, to acclaim, then to controversy, the study convulsed the scientific community for two years, raising questions over how science is both conducted and publicized. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 24 July 2025

With each pulse of bass and digitized clap, the onstage projection and floodlights strobed, convulsed, and inverted their colors. —Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025