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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
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
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
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
-
Palace’s results this season are all the more impressive on the back of a turbulent summer that was totally overshadowed by the decisions made by UEFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport to demote the club from the Europa League to the Conference League.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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While hundreds of people who were arrested went free without charge during that turbulent year, prosecutors are now pointing to those past protests in a warning to people who hope to send a message about ICE.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While Memphis has seen high numbers of violent crimes such as homicides and carjackings in recent years, Democratic and Republican officials have noted decreases this year in some crime categories.—
Devon M. Sayers,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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Even so, to take on one of the most famous women in history — and through a lens so bloody and violent — is a mighty tall order.—
Shirley Halperin,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In a competition bear-ly more ferocious, 12 chunky brown bears in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve have been battling it out in one of the most cutthroat places on the planet – the internet.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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The numbers may not leap off the page, but one of Sunday’s most exciting clashes was the 60-minute chess match between the Detroit Lions’ run game and the Cleveland Browns’ ferocious defensive front.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The bond between the two men was at the center of a fierce political conflict that spread in Washington, San Salvador and Miami.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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And Kailey Agpaoa is goofy and funny as Doctor Sister, a self-sacrificing but fierce young woman who has given up her dreams to care of her aging parents while her older sister has a husband and medical career.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After reviewing those court records, anyone with an ounce of humanity would come away furious at the criminal cover-up perpetrated against innocent young children by priests.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
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After going down 26-7 in the third quarter, the Eagles mounted a furious comeback at Lincoln Financial Field.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Treatments included volcanic stone therapy and sea salt scrubs infused with local herbs and essential oils.—
Lisa Greissinger,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
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Orange pillows on the pool lounge chairs complement the one-of-a-kind outdoor table made of volcanic rock.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As a result, a lot of interest from her rabid fan base has trickled into the NFL stratosphere, which is something that Jones has noticed.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
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Apple Music anchor Ebro Darden takes the stage, DJ D-Nice drops down the volume and Carey and SZA take the stage to roars from the rabid fans in the audience, who have been waiting outside all afternoon.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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