as in upheavals
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the Russian Revolution was one of the major convulsions of the 20th century
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Recent Examples of convulsions
Gary McHugh went into convulsions.
—
Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
In the 1850s and 1860s, the partisan press in the United States helped stoke the political convulsions that led to the Civil War.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Less than 1% will contract West Nile neuroinvasive disease, a more serious neurological illness that causes tremors, convulsions, neck stiffness, disorientation, paralysis and even death.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 20 May 2026
About 20% will develop West Nile fever, and less than 1% will become sick with West Nile neuroinvasive disease, which DSHS says is a more serious neurological illness that can cause tremors, convulsions, disorientation, paralysis and even death.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026
Listeriosis can cause symptoms of fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
High doses can cause convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, stroke or death.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
In 1602, she was afflicted by a slew of symptoms, such as convulsions, fits, and terrors.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
But her vitals are strong and there’s startling force in her unpredictable convulsions and bone-chilling noises.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
In the 1850s and 1860s, the partisan press in the United States helped stoke the political convulsions that led to the Civil War.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Less than 1% will contract West Nile neuroinvasive disease, a more serious neurological illness that causes tremors, convulsions, neck stiffness, disorientation, paralysis and even death.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 20 May 2026
About 20% will develop West Nile fever, and less than 1% will become sick with West Nile neuroinvasive disease, which DSHS says is a more serious neurological illness that can cause tremors, convulsions, disorientation, paralysis and even death.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026
Listeriosis can cause symptoms of fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026
High doses can cause convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, stroke or death.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
In 1602, she was afflicted by a slew of symptoms, such as convulsions, fits, and terrors.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
But her vitals are strong and there’s startling force in her unpredictable convulsions and bone-chilling noises.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsions
Noun
-
Crocodilian ancestors have persisted through mass extinctions, dramatic climate shifts and ecological upheavals that have eradicated countless other lineages.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Then, in the wake of 1968’s political upheavals, both artists redirected their attention toward social systems—producing the work they’re best known for today.—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Fonseca’s topspin forehand averages more than 3,000 revolutions per minute (RPM).—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
Three interlocking scientific revolutions, each based in part on Nobel Prize–winning work, have established this fact, and each one helps explain why the minimum wage did the opposite of what the expert class expected.—
Nick Hanauer,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Convulsions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsions. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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