convulse

[ kuhn-vuhls ]

See synonyms for: convulse convulsed on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),con·vulsed, con·vuls·ing.

to shake violently; agitate.
to cause to shake violently with laughter, anger, pain, etc.

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

Origin of convulse

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; see con-

Other words from convulse

con·vuls·ed·ly, adverb
con·vuls·i·ble, adjective
con·vuls·i·bil·i·ty, noun
un·con·vulsed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use convulse in a sentence

As they embrace Maeve, both family members convulse and die, and Maeve sees the telltale red imprint of her hand on Logan’s cheek.
‘Red Hands’ is either creepily satisfying or a trigger for your worst nightmare | Elizabeth Hand | December 17, 2020 | Washington Post
As other cities convulsed and burned, New York remained relatively stable and peaceful.
It's Time for a New Kerner Commission on Police and Race | Jay Kriegel | August 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The video was filmed before the massive violence that convulsed Kiev this week, but its message is eerily prescient.
The Viral Heroine Of The Maidan | Deborah Stambler | February 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
At the sound of his name, the man on the floor raised his head and turned a convulsed face to Mr. Wilde.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show | Robert W. Chambers | February 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The internet convulsed with outrage that Bob Dylan, star of a Super Bowl car commercial, had "sold out."
Bob Dylan’s 115th Sellout | Michael Moynihan | February 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

But the country has historically avoided the periodic upheavals that have convulsed regional states like Iraq and Syria.
Egypt, a Nation Divided | Barak Barfi | July 23, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Still, Louis did not reply; but proofs of his contending soul convulsed the features his agitated hand tried to conceal.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter
One child between three and four was convulsed at the sight of his baby bib fastened round the neck of his bearded sire.
Children's Ways | James Sully
He leapt to his feet, his face convulsed as if at the horror of learning of a hitherto undreamt-of state of things.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
These remarks were uttered with such vehemence, that not a word was lost, and the whole coach became convulsed with laughter.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various
The boys were convulsed with laughter; but the girls were afraid that the Irishman had been seriously hurt.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage | Gertrude W. Morrison

British Dictionary definitions for convulse

convulse

/ (kənˈvʌls) /

verb

(tr) to shake or agitate violently
(tr) to cause (muscles) to undergo violent spasms or contractions

(intr often foll by with) informal to shake or be overcome (with violent emotion, esp laughter)
(tr) to disrupt the normal running of (a country, etc): student riots have convulsed India

Origin of convulse

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

Derived forms of convulse

convulsive, adjective
convulsively, adverb
convulsiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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