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
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
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 27 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
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
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
-
At the tight end position, a turbulent year around him in 2024 didn’t allow for any consistency for Jake Ferguson, especially when factoring in his injuries.—
Nick Harris
July 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 July 2025
-
Chapek’s short and turbulent reign ended in 2022 when Iger returned as CEO.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
On June 25, Monroe officers used a drone to track down a violent offender who had fled into a wooded area, police said.—
Maia Nehme,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
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Before long, his life is plagued by a series of mysterious, sinister incidents that threaten to upend his success and bring about a most violent demise.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
On the wall behind her, Gauguin has painted glyphs like those discovered on Easter Island, and a masked female figure, ferocious and bare-breasted.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
-
Last time around, the titular Addams Family member, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, saved Nevermore by solving the mystery of the Hyde’s identity and putting a stop to the ferocious creature.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
With so many players in the game, the competition is simultaneously fierce and toothless.—
Todd Fisher,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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To put that drop into context, Gates was the fifth richest person alive on July 3, highlighting the fierce (and sometimes erratic) battle to make it to the top 10.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
River had Gonzalo Montiel sent off at the death for a second yellow card as the match ended with Inter players running off the pitch showered by items from the stands and followed by a furious Marcos Acuna until he was restrained by team-mates.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
25 June 2025
-
Employees, terrified and furious, call out to the agents.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Schrodinger basin, a large impact crater near the moon’s south pole, shows evidence of geologically recent volcanic activity.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 June 2025
-
Crater of Diamonds is located on a former volcanic crater, and in 1906, a local farmer named John Huddleston found diamonds here.—
Caroline Eubanks,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Harrington had words with an NBC Analyst, prompting rabid reactions online.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
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There’ve been some good ones over the past few years, but films like Rush, Ferrari and Ford v Ferrari haven’t drawn the kind of rabid audiences that show up to watch these races live.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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