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 The reversal of values, principles, and ideals has been convulsive. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 6 Feb. 2025 Patel’s past proposals, if carried out, would lead to convulsive change for an agency tasked not only with investigating violations of federal law but also protecting the country from terrorist attacks, foreign espionage and other threats. Eric Tucker and Alan Suderman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024 Coming at the end of a convulsive final day in Baku, Azerbaijan, the conclusion of the Conference of the Parties was greeted by applause. Antonio Piemontese, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2024 Americans are sleepwalking toward convulsive pain, a consequence of decades of easy money policies to prevent minor pains. George F. Will, Washington Post, 21 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
  • Keep in mind, substantial wealth can be created in the market by those who maintain a composed and strategic approach during turbulent times.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • The film spans two decades of a country in profound transformation with a new perspective into contemporary China and individual experience amid turbulent change.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Europeans, Australians and Americans organized violent, racially motivated riots and lawmakers began enacting anti-Chinese immigration legislation, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • Some liberal critics on social media say that Republicans did not seem to take issue when the same slogan — or even more violent rhetoric — was targeted at a Democratic president.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The crisis is in plain view and the wind is ferocious.
    Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • His Hozier cover was at turns strategic and nuanced, then unleashed and ferocious.
    Charlie Mason, TVLine, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
  • Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.
    Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Eyewitnesses described furious gales and hurricane-like winds that left an avalanche of debris near the pier.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
  • But even with a better offensive night for Jerome, he was still beaten off the dribble too many times and couldn’t stay on the court for that last, furious push.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Hundreds of times more intense and brighter than those seen on Earth, they're caused both by high-energy particles from the sun but also from Jupiter's moon, Io — the most volcanic body in the solar system.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Other sites may hold clues about volcanic activity on the Moon or the solar system’s early history.
    Zhenbo Wang, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Superhuman built their email tool in public, discussing challenges openly, which shaped their product and created a rabid fan base in the process.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • That’s not quite enough to fill, say, Coors Field, but certainly enough to warrant applause for this Canadian DJ’s rabid fan base.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on convulsive

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