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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of convulsive
Literary Hub turned ten this year, which is basically forty in website years (but not 44, thankfully), and inasmuch as it’s been an ugly and convulsive decade in the broader world, it’s been pretty bad for online media, too.
—
Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
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Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies have spent the last several weeks playing like a club determined to erase the disappointment of a turbulent first half.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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As the investigation progresses in this four-part docuseries, Stephen reveals the turbulent family dynamics that shaped his childhood, including his father Ron — a violent Vietnam War vet grappling with PTSD — and his mother, Margie, who divorced Ron in the '90s.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, the environment, climate change and other news.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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His drawling, winking charm is front and center, and his attraction to our heroine feels both genuine and even quite protective, but his violent streak is so blasé as to be unnerving.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Fires ravaged the ballpark’s left-field bleachers in May 1926, and a tornado’s ferocious winds tore through additional sections of seats that July, and ownership could not afford to renovate.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
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Noisy, ebullient, ferocious and free, Dance!—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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What all present did expect was a fierce contest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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Bagnulo noted that the competition will be fierce.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Scenes of furious sketching, intricate designs of delicate cutouts and swirling shapes and fabrics, pinning, sewing and the bustle of runway shows alternate with fretting about how to pay the rent.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
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The post, liked by 8 million users, drew thousands of comments, mostly from furious Knicks fans who couldn’t believe that the furry red Muppet didn’t fully endorse his hometown team for its away game.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Sunrise hikes beside the statues, volcanic landscapes, local guides and museums bring Rapa Nui culture to life, while conservation programs protect the archaeological sites and local communities continue to preserve their traditions, language, music and dance.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
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Iran’s mentors were naturally taken aback by the volcanic eruption of popular anti-Americanism in the country in 1978.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Travis Knight, a rabid Masters of the Universe fan, and a filmmaker who was able to bring humor and heart to silent Transformer Bumblebee in his own standalone film, emerged as the top choice to direct.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
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This series is going well beyond the rabid nature of fandom.—
Dick Brennan,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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