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
The country, meanwhile, was experiencing a series of convulsions.
—
Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and death, according to the CDC.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Symptoms of bird flu in mammals include tremors, convulsions, seizures and muscle weakness.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
But the more-severe version is life-threatening, according to the FDA, and symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Now, that job title could be gone by the end of this year, according to the man who created the artificial intelligence (AI) tool that is sending convulsions through the Valley.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Some permanent changes among survivors have been noted, including persistent convulsions.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2026
For nearly a millennia and half, even in the centuries when physicians were beginning to supplant priests in treating the ill, epileptic convulsions (unexpected, frightening, enigmatic) remained the territory of the priest.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Formed in England in the mid-1600s, the Religious Society of Friends became known for the tremors and convulsions that would overtake its members during prayer.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Azadeh Moaveni, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Brain swelling from encephalitis can lead to convulsions, permanent hearing loss, intellectual disability and death, according to the CDC.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Symptoms of bird flu in mammals include tremors, convulsions, seizures and muscle weakness.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
But the more-severe version is life-threatening, according to the FDA, and symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Now, that job title could be gone by the end of this year, according to the man who created the artificial intelligence (AI) tool that is sending convulsions through the Valley.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Some permanent changes among survivors have been noted, including persistent convulsions.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2026
For nearly a millennia and half, even in the centuries when physicians were beginning to supplant priests in treating the ill, epileptic convulsions (unexpected, frightening, enigmatic) remained the territory of the priest.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Formed in England in the mid-1600s, the Religious Society of Friends became known for the tremors and convulsions that would overtake its members during prayer.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsions
Noun
-
The vaccination campaign for measles was disrupted during Bangladesh's recent political upheavals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Sitting around a wood stove and drinking cups of coffee and tea, the residents reflected on the upheavals that had become a regular feature of their lives.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fidesz, founded as an anti-communist youth movement, still positions itself as the guardian of Hungary’s independence, secured in the peaceful revolutions that swept Central and Eastern Europe in 1989.—
Isaac Stanley-Becker,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Past technological revolutions allowed generations to absorb the shock.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Convulsions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsions. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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