Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective convulsive contrast with its synonyms?

The words fitful and spasmodic are common synonyms of convulsive. While all three words mean "lacking steadiness or regularity in movement," convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

Where would fitful be a reasonable alternative to convulsive?

Although the words fitful and convulsive have much in common, fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

How do spasmodic and fitful relate to one another, in the sense of convulsive?

Spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.

spasmodic growth

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of convulsive But for anyone with a taste for operatic violence and fountains of blood as shotgun and assault rifle blasts send bodies flying in slo-mo or dancing like convulsive marionettes, Gareth Evans’ gritty neo-noir will be just the ticket. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025 When the train pulls away — and his target serenely waves goodbye through the window — Popeye’s convulsive rage is a quintessential Hackman flourish. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025 In the middle of all this came a convulsive shock, the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Adam Goldman, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025 The reversal of values, principles, and ideals has been convulsive. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
  • The Nintendo Switch era has been turbulent for the franchise, to put it mildly.
    Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Now, in an increasingly turbulent world, those barriers are going back up.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Others, like Ghiath Dalla, a brigadier general whose forces were involved in violent repression of protests, is among several former officers plotting sabotage from Lebanon, according to ex-military commanders, who also shared text message exchanges with The Times.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … FED UP – Trump storms most violent US city with federal muscle as police group warns of soft-on-crime consequences.
    , FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As previously announced, Andrew Garfield stars as the legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Andrew Garfield is leading the feature that is now in production, portraying the leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Israel then launched its war on the strip, which has been devastated by fierce bombardment and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ground operations.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Plenty of companies offer fully remote work, Frana says, but competition can be fierce for those roles.
    Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Robbie and Jayson have a furious battle, but Jayson sticks the fatal knife stab before fleeing.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Wilson was visibly furious, walking up to head coach Aaron Glenn and seemingly speaking his mind after a six-point first half for the Jets.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Ring of Fire is a vast tectonic belt encircling much of the Pacific Ocean, known for its intense seismic and volcanic activity.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Gone, too, is the volcanic chemistry the two stars had in Pretty Woman.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The comebacks have been rabid and theatrical.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
  • That’s in character for rabid Philly fans, who once tossed snowballs at Santa Claus during a long-ago Eagles game.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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