convulsively

American  

[kuhn-vuhls-iv-lee] / kənˈvʌls ɪv li /

adverb

1. in a convulsive way.

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Explanation

To do something convulsively is to do it in an irregular, jerky way. If you can't help laughing convulsively during a friend's awkward speech, you'll be shaking with laughter. Movements that are connected to actual convulsions — the involuntary, abnormal movement of the body's muscles — happen convulsively. Other things occur convulsively too, like hiccups and laughter and crying: "She sobbed convulsively when her dog ran away." The adverb convulsively comes from the verb convulse, which is rooted in the Latin convulsus, "pulled away" or "wrenched."

Example Sentences

The production, executed to perfection, starred Ron Bottitta and Patrick Keleher as the radicalized father and his conscience-stricken son in a tense dramatic standoff that told a story about America we’re still convulsively living through.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2024

I was vomiting so convulsively they removed them to get the spasms to stop.

From Washington Post • May 27, 2022

Not convulsively, but enough that I didn’t get kicked out of the joint.

From Golf Digest • Apr. 28, 2020

Not everyone was Connors, relishing the atmospheric conditions more common in the team sports arena, not really minding fans convulsively bolting from their seats in the middle of a point for a plate of nachos.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2016

But I saw his knuckles tighten convulsively on the wheel.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer