as in shook
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
convulsing with silent laughter as the inept pianist blithely played on
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Recent Examples of convulsed
The massacre in Mashhad unfolded on January 8th, after Iranians across the country went out to protest the regime—the culmination of a movement that had convulsed the country for nearly two weeks, following the collapse of the economy.
—
Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
For days, the president has issued increasingly bellicose warnings toward Tehran as protests have convulsed the Islamic Republic.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
Before the advent of the modern state, the economy convulsed with financial panics roughly every 20 years.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
The young republic’s survival hinged on distancing itself from a Europe convulsed by revolution and war.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
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
According to witnesses cited by The New York Times, Boyd heaved and convulsed for about 15 minutes before he was pronounced dead — a length of time that exceeded the estimates of the Supreme Court’s liberal minority.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
For days, the president has issued increasingly bellicose warnings toward Tehran as protests have convulsed the Islamic Republic.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
Before the advent of the modern state, the economy convulsed with financial panics roughly every 20 years.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
The young republic’s survival hinged on distancing itself from a Europe convulsed by revolution and war.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
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
According to witnesses cited by The New York Times, Boyd heaved and convulsed for about 15 minutes before he was pronounced dead — a length of time that exceeded the estimates of the Supreme Court’s liberal minority.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsed
Verb
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This should have people across the country absolutely shook.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
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The birth of Endeavor startled Hollywood, but Endeavor’s subsequent takeover of powerhouse William Morris shook the town to its core.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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The two stood nose-to-nose on the field when the Steelers player grabbed onto Chase’s facemask, jerked his head and appeared to punch him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
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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East Denver sushi fans shuddered in late December when Okinawa Japanese Cuisine, a mainstay on Colfax Avenue since 2010, closed and boarded up its doors with brown paper.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The same thing can be said about the narrowcast programming on public-access television, which, at its best, vibrated with sui generis excitement that predated and forecasted the early uncharted territory of the internet.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
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As the meeting was ending, Vande Kolk’s cellphone vibrated.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Convulsed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsed. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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