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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
  • Even Zelensky – who has had a turbulent relationship with Trump – came away with wins.
    Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
  • Reina, Fil-Am team center back, brings us on this turbulent journey, culminating in an intimate trip to her grandmother’s hometown in the Philippines.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 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
  • 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
  • The Manchester City striker is one of the global game’s most ferocious and intelligent goalscorers.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Now, she’s added another competitive event to her list of favorites: F1, or Formula 1, largely considered the world's most ferocious and high-tech form of auto racing.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Supreme Court cases that set off the fiercest conflicts among the justices aren’t always the hot-button ones.
    Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 25 June 2025
  • The land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties and bloody betrayals.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 June 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
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Harrington had words with an NBC Analyst, prompting rabid reactions online.
    Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • The pair bond over the course of the movie, but Old Yeller is ultimately bitten by a rabid wolf defending Travis, Washburn’s Lisbeth and his mother (Dorothy McGuire).
    Victoria Edel, People.com, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on convulsive

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