Synonyms of convulsive

convulsive

adjective

kən-ˈvəl-siv 

1

as in turbulent

marked by sudden or violent disturbance

the assassination of Martin Luther King was one of the most convulsive events of the 1960s

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turbulent
• tumultuous
• spasmodic
• tempestuous
• stormy
• fitful
• sporadic
• boisterous
• cataclysmal
• riotous
• noisy
• furious
• clamorous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• peaceful
• undisturbed
• placid
• serene
• tranquil
• unperturbed
• untroubled
• unshaken

2

as in violent

marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity

after a day of convulsive trading, the stock market was down 300 points

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violent
• ferocious
• turbulent
• fierce
• furious
• volcanic
• rabid
• rough
• explosive
• paroxysmal
• vicious
• tumultuous
• cyclonic
• brutal
• tempestuous
• hot
• stormy
• savage
• aggressive
• volatile
• blood-and-guts
• bang-bang
• knock-down, drag-out
• barbarous
• hammer-and-tongs
• contentious
• hostile
• frantic
• destructive
• antagonistic
• mad
• belligerent
• bellicose
• combative
• frenzied
• pugnacious
• agitated
• combustible
• truculent
• gladiatorial
• quarrelsome
• assertive
• ruinous
• cataclysmal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• nonviolent
• calm
• tranquil
• serene
• pacific
• halcyon
• nonbelligerent
• unaggressive

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

Recent Examples of convulsive

The buck took a convulsive jump that carried him about 30 ft. and piled up. —Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2025

During the past six months, Bondi has presided over the most convulsive transition of power in the Justice Department since the Watergate era, and perhaps in the hundred-and-fifty-five-year history of the department. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025

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

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