convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls 

convulsed; convulsing

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

• agitate
• bucket
• jerk
• jiggle
• joggle
• jolt
• jounce
• judder [chiefly British]
• quake
• quiver
• shake
• shudder
• vibrate
• wobble
• wabble

Choose the Right Synonym for convulse

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

But Danielle was literally convulsing on the floor as you were banished. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 21 Feb. 2025

In the 1910s, as Russia was being convulsed by the Bolsheviks, Hollywood was turning out the earliest classics by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, and John Ford. —Peter Tonguette, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025

Jones convulsed hideously while Archerd stood quietly at his bedside. —Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024

The goat died a day later, according to the affidavit, after convulsing and showing signs of respiratory distress. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for convulse

• repulse
• dulce
• pulse

Kids Definition

convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls 

convulsed; convulsing

: to shake violently

especially : to shake with usually uncontrolled jerky movements

convulsed with laughter

Medical Definition

convulse

verb

con·​vulse kən-ˈvəls 

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