convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls How to pronounce convulse (audio)
convulsed; convulsing
Synonyms of convulsenext

transitive verb

: to shake or agitate violently
especially : to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with laughter

intransitive verb

: to become affected with convulsions

Synonyms of convulse

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shake, agitate, rock, convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence.

shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Examples of convulse in a Sentence

The patient reacted to the medication and began convulsing. The country was convulsed by war.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Hong Kong’s position as a once-outspoken corner of China has been upended in recent years by a national security crackdown following huge and often violent democracy protests that convulsed the city in 2019. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 These empires all emerged in the aftermath of the great Mongol conquests that spread over the Eurasian steppe in the thirteenth century and convulsed politics far and wide. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 The siege of the homes is the latest episode in a wave of settler violence convulsing the occupied West Bank, which Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war and which would make up the main part of a future Palestinian state. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The climbdown reflects the fact that, while America has been convulsed by a culture war over eligibility for female sports, the wider sporting world has moved on. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for convulse

Word History

Etymology

Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere to pluck up, convulse, from com- + vellere to pluck — more at vulnerable

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of convulse was in 1643

Rhymes for convulse

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Browse Nearby Words

convulsant
convulse
convulsedly
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Cite this Entry

“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulse. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

convulse

verb
con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls How to pronounce convulse (audio)
convulsed; convulsing
: to shake violently
especially : to shake with usually uncontrolled jerky movements
convulsed with laughter

Medical Definition

convulse

verb
con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls How to pronounce convulse (audio)
convulsed; convulsing

transitive verb

: to shake or agitate violently
especially : to shake or cause to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with pain

intransitive verb

: to become affected with convulsions
some children will inevitably convulse when fever reaches a high point—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo

More from Merriam-Webster on convulse

Nglish: Translation of convulse for Spanish Speakers

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