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

Gabriel wrapped his arms around his father’s waist, his small body convulsed with tears: “I love you.”

From Los Angeles Times

In May of 2023, for example, a worker harvesting corn near Brawley fell behind his colleagues and then complained of stomach pain and began convulsing.

From Los Angeles Times

Immigration agents attempting to detain street vendors in downtown Los Angeles arrested and tackled two bystanders, both U.S. citizens, one who is pinned to a curb for several minutes, struggles to breathe and starts convulsing.

From Los Angeles Times

On Saturday, President Donald Trump used his authority to call in the California National Guard, something typically decided by a state's governor, as a second day of protests convulsed the city.

From BBC

I’m well past that point; some of his stories and novels I’ve read dozens, even hundreds of times, and they can still make me convulse in laughter.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• shake up 
• torment