Thesaurus results for CONVULSE

Q: How is the word 'convulse' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convulse are agitate , rock , and shake . While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm. // spectators were convulsed with laughter

Q: In what contexts can 'agitate' take the place of 'convulse'?

The synonyms agitate and convulse are sometimes interchangeable, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring. // an ocean agitated by storms

Q: When could 'rock' be used to replace 'convulse'?

In some situations, the words rock and convulse are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval. // the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Q: Where would 'shake' be a reasonable alternative to 'convulse'?

While the synonyms shake and convulse are close in meaning, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. // shake well before using

convulse

verb

kən-ˈvəls

Definition of convulse next

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements convulsing with silent laughter as the inept pianist blithely played on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word convulse different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of convulse are agitate, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

In what contexts can agitate take the place of convulse?

The synonyms agitate and convulse are sometimes interchangeable, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When could rock be used to replace convulse?

In some situations, the words rock and convulse are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Where would shake be a reasonable alternative to convulse?

While the synonyms shake and convulse are close in meaning, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Examples 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 convulse Instead, the political class was convulsed with speculation that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and replace him with a military neophyte, Gideon Sa’ar, to shore up his domestic power. —

Mick Krever, CNN, 27 Sep. 2024 By Robin George Andrews Earth is an endlessly convulsing world. —

Robin George Andrews, The Atlantic, 26 Sep. 2024 At the wave of his hand, congregants would fall to the floor shrieking and convulsing in rapturous hysterics. —

Laura Bullard, Vox, 20 Sep. 2024 The crowd convulsed in panic, with a voice on a loudspeaker telling people to remove batteries from their phones, according to live footage of the event. —

Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for convulse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulse

Verb

Over the next few years, a plague of disorder will descend upon America, and maybe the world, shaking everything loose.

David Brooks, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
Maybe that’s why World Cups end with the two teams shaking hands, one offering congratulations and the other condolences, and elections don’t.

Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024