as in shakes
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of convulses
As the United States convulses with violent raids from emboldened ICE agents, citizens across the country have fought back with block-by-block mutual aid.
—
Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
As the Islamic Republic convulses with demonstrations across all 31 provinces, Iranians of all ages are catching a glimpse of national rebirth after nearly half a century of theocratic rule.
—Behnam Ben Taleblu, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
Some skimming of the froth would not be unhealthy, though the question is whether the market got wound tightly enough that a hiccup in the high-momentum groups convulses the rest of the market too.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
As the Islamic Republic convulses with demonstrations across all 31 provinces, Iranians of all ages are catching a glimpse of national rebirth after nearly half a century of theocratic rule.
—Behnam Ben Taleblu, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
Some skimming of the froth would not be unhealthy, though the question is whether the market got wound tightly enough that a hiccup in the high-momentum groups convulses the rest of the market too.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulses
Verb
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When Dana peeks in and Robby simply shakes his head no?—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
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Thinking back to the days leading up to the 2025 Daytona 500, Sarah Turner Wells shakes her head in astonishment.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The mind shudders at the thought.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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So one shudders to think what might happen when the Dolphins now face a murderer’s row of elite running backs and mobile quarterbacks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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The video suddenly jerks away as the vehicle starts to move and shots can be heard.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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My music vibrates strings in there that never moved before.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
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My car vibrates at 50 miles per hour and higher.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The music of home often quivers with nostalgia.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
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There’s a breathless mood in the air that quivers and quakes at the protests to come.—
Sara Stridsberg
September 15,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Convulses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulses. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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