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
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, society was convulsed by transformations in the economy, science and technology.
—
Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
After the 2020 murder of George Floyd, as the country convulsed with protests over policing, Abdullah found herself with a bully pulpit and used it.
—Jamil Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2024
In a statement Friday, Salazar did not specify when inspectors would return to Michoacán, which is Mexico’s top producer of avocados but is convulsed by gang violence.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2024
The protesters’ actions at Cal State, Los Angeles, come as some American campuses continue to be convulsed by pro-Palestinian demonstrations denouncing Israel’s handling of its war against Hamas in Gaza.
—Melissa Alonso, CNN, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for convulse 
Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
After the 2020 murder of George Floyd, as the country convulsed with protests over policing, Abdullah found herself with a bully pulpit and used it.
—Jamil Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2024
In a statement Friday, Salazar did not specify when inspectors would return to Michoacán, which is Mexico’s top producer of avocados but is convulsed by gang violence.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2024
The protesters’ actions at Cal State, Los Angeles, come as some American campuses continue to be convulsed by pro-Palestinian demonstrations denouncing Israel’s handling of its war against Hamas in Gaza.
—Melissa Alonso, CNN, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for convulse
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convulse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near convulse
Cite this Entry
“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/convulse. Accessed 15 Jul. 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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