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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsions
Noun
-
My mother reported her friends’ upheavals to me matter-of-factly.—
Jennifer Acker,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
-
In a season-long arc, Gallagher will play Rod Finlayson, a charismatic, uber-independent, capable yet unreliable figure, whose arrival at the Gibsons’ marina on his beloved boat sets up a sequence of upheavals that Alberg and Cassandra will have to grapple with.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Like the industrial and financial revolutions that preceded it, AI offers a rare chance to redefine the human experience.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
-
Still, revolutions rarely come easy.—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Convulsions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsions. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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