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
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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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Recent Examples of convulsive
In the 1890s, amid the convulsive changes of the industrial era and an upsurge in labor conflict and farmers’ political organizing, nearly four million African Americans were stripped of their voting rights.
—
Suzanne Mettler, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2020
That period was a convulsive time in U.S.-Cuba relations marked by the signing of the migration accords after the Balseros crisis, the shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes and the passing of the Libertad Act, also known as Helms-Burton.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
During the convulsive phase of a seizure, breathing may be intermittent.
—Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024
But remember: Not all seizures are convulsive or cause a loss of consciousness.
—Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Suzanne Mettler, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2020
That period was a convulsive time in U.S.-Cuba relations marked by the signing of the migration accords after the Balseros crisis, the shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes and the passing of the Libertad Act, also known as Helms-Burton.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
During the convulsive phase of a seizure, breathing may be intermittent.
—Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024
But remember: Not all seizures are convulsive or cause a loss of consciousness.
—Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
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His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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The 1999 killing Syed and Lee both attended Woodlawn High School and had dated, broken up, reunited and broken up again in a relationship an appeals court described as turbulent.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, nearly three-quarters of those polled disapproved of Mr. Trump’s pardons for people convicted of violent crimes, and more than half disliked his pardons for even those convicted of nonviolent offenses.—
Meridith Kohut,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
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Of eight policies surveyed, his pardoning of people convicted of violent crimes in the January 6 Capitol riots was the least popular.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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It was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, which spread at ferocious speeds in high winds, eventually destroying more than 9,000 houses and buildings around Altadena, Calif.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
23 Jan. 2025
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In the days after the fire, Anthony C. Marrone, the Los Angeles County fire chief, hammered the same message over and over: The flames were too ferocious and the winds too intense to stop the infernos of Tuesday night, Jan. 7.—
Jonathan Wolfe,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The game between the fierce rivals was halted after 52 minutes due to fans throwing flares onto the pitch.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
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After the goalless draw in one of soccer’s fiercest rivalries, the Portuguese manager was yet again outspoken in his press conference.—
Ben Church,
CNN,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Cormack was furious, issuing a sharp rebuke, the official said.—
Brett Murphy,
ProPublica,
16 Feb. 2025
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According to the Sheriff’s Office: Following a furious chase through Cascade, the black Toyota Tundra pickup truck headed south on Idaho 55, weaving in and around traffic while deputies kept pace behind.—
Max Silverson,
Idaho Statesman,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Weak ash emissions were ongoing and the Landsat image also captures a volcanic plume drifting away from the summit in a northeasterly direction.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
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It had been hidden beneath tons of volcanic rock and ash for 2,000 years.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This is a very famous spinoff of a very famous show that has a rabid fanbase.—
H. Alan Scott,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
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Two persons, however, were exposed to the rabid bull and had to be given rabies vaccine.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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