convulsion

[ kuhn-vuhl-shuhn ]

/ kənˈvʌl ʃən /

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See synonyms for: convulsion / convulsions on Thesaurus.com

noun

contortion of the body caused by violent, involuntary muscular contractions of the extremities, trunk, and head.

violent agitation or disturbance; commotion.

an outburst of great, uncontrollable laughter.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of convulsion

First recorded in 1575–85, convulsion is from the Latin word convulsiōn- (stem of convulsiō). See convulse, -ion

Words nearby convulsion

convolvulaceous, convolvulus, convoy, convulsant, convulse, convulsion, convulsionary, convulsive, convulsive disorder, Conway, conworld

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

How to use convulsion in a sentence

NEW YORK — From the outside, the war in Ukraine is a disconnected stream of videos, sudden convulsions of fire, flame and smoke, or images of hollowed-out buildings gaping with views of abandoned offices, apartments and schoolrooms.
Women artists tell an ugly truth: The war within may never be over|Philip Kennicott|August 4, 2022|Washington Post
Every moment it seemed as if the tent would not withstand the onslaught, that the fluttering canvas was in its death convulsions.
A 237-Hour Nightmare: Inside this Terrifying, Frostbitten First Ascent of Nepal’s Baruntse|cobrien|January 30, 2022|Outside Online
The vaccine can cause mild side effects in some children, including fever and brief convulsions, said Katherine O’Brien, the WHO’s director of immunization, vaccines and biologicals.
WHO endorses use of first malaria vaccine|Paulina Firozi, Marisa Iati, Erin Cunningham|October 6, 2021|Washington Post
The tremor intensified until, about halfway through the recitation, he fell to the floor in convulsions, having lost all control of his body, including bladder and bowels, in front of an audience of merciless adolescents.
How to Unlearn a Disease - Issue 103: Healthy Communication|Kelly Clancy|July 14, 2021|Nautilus

Electrocution, convulsion, possession, all of the above, all at once.
The world is fast. Bad Brains are faster.|Chris Richards|April 8, 2021|Washington Post
It underscores how complicated this case—this social convulsion—ultimately is.
Hoodies, Trayvon Martin, and America’s Racial Fears|Robin Givhan|March 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Reconciliations are handled glancingly, if at all; the family simply continues, settling into new patterns after each convulsion.
Must Read New Fiction: ‘Arcadia,’ ‘Men in Space,’ ‘The O’Briens,’ ‘Hot Pink’|Chloë Schama, Jacob Silverman, Wendy Smith, Daniel Roberts|March 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
She had done with little things, and Isabel, with young curiosity, wondered in what convulsion the last of them had gone down.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Uttering these words, the good lady pointed distractedly to the cupboard, and underwent a convulsion from internal spasms.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
It has been claimed that a shot would break the tube and end the little convulsion.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
When the launch was under way Isabel told Gwynne of the blue flames that had danced over the marsh during the convulsion.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
What he dreaded was the spasm of dying—the convulsion that was to snap the thousand silver strings in the harp of life.
Julian Home|Dean Frederic W. Farrar

British Dictionary definitions for convulsion

convulsion

/ (kənˈvʌlʃən) /

noun

a violent involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles

a violent upheaval, disturbance, or agitation, esp a social one

(usually plural) informal uncontrollable laughterI was in convulsions

Derived forms of convulsion

convulsionary, adjective

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

Cultural definitions for convulsion

convulsion

A severe, often violent involuntary contraction of the muscles. Convulsions may be caused by high fevers or poisoning and often accompany such diseases such as epilepsy.

convulsion

Origin of convulsion

Words nearby convulsion

Words related to convulsion

How to use convulsion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for convulsion

Derived forms of convulsion

Cultural definitions for convulsion