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View synonyms for convulsive

convulsive

[ kuhn-vuhl-siv ]

adjective

  1. of the nature of or characterized by convulsions or spasms.

    Synonyms: spasmodic

  2. producing or accompanied by convulsion:

    convulsive rage.



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Other Words From

  • con·vulsive·ly adverb
  • con·vulsive·ness noun
  • postcon·vulsive adjective
  • uncon·vulsive adjective
  • uncon·vulsive·ly adverb
  • uncon·vulsive·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of convulsive1

From the Latin word convulsīvus, dating back to 1605–15. See convulse, -ive

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Example Sentences

It means an out of control, almost convulsive state of emotional breakdown.

In the throes of its convulsive Cultural Revolution, with exactly one ambassador permitted overseas, Beijing was totally isolated.

Richard Nixon won big in 1972, for instance, at a time of deep and convulsive national unhappiness.

So his death has had the same convulsive impact as that of Jean-Michel Basquiat who died one year older in 1988.

He watched her, saw the little body heave down its entire length, noted the small convulsive movements of it.

The man roared furiously, and gave a convulsive heave that almost upset myself and the big chair, and disengaged the key!

Pale as a ghost, her fingers intertwined in a convulsive grip, she knelt by her cousin's bed and told her shameful story.

Every third day his convulsive tremblings, his dejection, his fits of wandering, seemed to indicate the approach of dissolution.

He sat on a low stool, his face buried in his hands, breaking the stillness every now and then with his convulsive sobs.

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convulsionaryconvulsive disorder