convulsed; convulsing
: to shake or agitate violently
especially
: to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with laughter
: to become affected with convulsions
Synonyms
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
Smith appeared to writhe and convulse on the gurney for at least four minutes during the execution.
—
Marty Roney, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
The whale convulsed on the surface of the waves for a moment before charging again.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Amsterdam, like many major cities across the world, has been convulsed by large protests condemning the ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza, the deaths of more than 43,000 Palestinians and the destruction of much of the enclave.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
But that is exactly what the 72-year-old devout Catholic and grandmother has become to some in this northern California county — which has been convulsed by conspiracy theories about voter fraud and other extremist ideologies over the last three years.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for convulse 
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Marty Roney, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
The whale convulsed on the surface of the waves for a moment before charging again.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024
Amsterdam, like many major cities across the world, has been convulsed by large protests condemning the ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza, the deaths of more than 43,000 Palestinians and the destruction of much of the enclave.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
But that is exactly what the 72-year-old devout Catholic and grandmother has become to some in this northern California county — which has been convulsed by conspiracy theories about voter fraud and other extremist ideologies over the last three years.
—Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for convulse
Dictionary Entries Near convulse
Cite this Entry
“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulse. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
: to shake or agitate violently
especially
: to shake or cause to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
was convulsed with pain
: to become affected with convulsions
some children will inevitably convulse when fever reaches a high point—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo
H. R. Litchfield & L. H. DemboLove words? Need even more definitions?
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