convulse

[kuhn-vuhls]

verb (used with object)

convulsed, convulsing 

1. to shake violently; agitate.

2. to cause to shake violently with laughter, anger, pain, etc.

3. to cause to suffer violent, spasmodic contractions of the muscles.

convulse

/ kənˈvʌls /

verb

1. (tr) to shake or agitate violently

2. (tr) to cause (muscles) to undergo violent spasms or contractions

3. informal,  to shake or be overcome (with violent emotion, esp laughter)

4. (tr) to disrupt the normal running of (a country, etc)

   student riots have convulsed India

Other Word Forms

• convulsively adverb
• convulsiveness noun
• convulsive adjective
• convulsedly adverb
• convulsible adjective
• convulsibility noun
• unconvulsed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of convulse¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere “to shatter, tear loose,” equivalent to con- intensive prefix + vul- (variant stem of vellere “to pull, tear”) + -sus, variant of -tus past participle suffix; con-

Word History and Origins

Origin of convulse¹

C17: from Latin convulsus, from convellere to tear up, from vellere to pluck, pull

Example Sentences

He had earlier suggested "everlasting peace" had been grasped under his tutelage, in a region long convulsed by violence.

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For months in 2024 — shortly after the onset of the deadliest and most destructive war between Israelis and Palestinians in history — college campuses in the U.S. convulsed in often confrontational protests.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That exchange didn't happen, of course, because when the two men came side-by-side, the pair of them seemed lost for words as Hampden convulsed all around them.

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Many residents said they think the president may be confusing what is happening in Portland now with a period in 2020 in which the city was briefly convulsed over Black Live Matter protests.

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Three were seriously injured, one died from electrocution, and another convulsed so violently after being struck by lightning that he tumbled out of the cave and fell to his death from the 8,839-foot precipice.

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Related Words

• shake up 
• torment