as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
convulsing with silent laughter as the inept pianist blithely played on
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of convulse
Markets immediately began convulsing, and in the days that followed, Trump exempted more than a third of goods coming from Canada until April 2.
—
Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2025
When Woods’ teammate Tom Kim turned his back on a chip-in, tossing his club in celebration, oblivious to the fact that his ball had lipped out, Woods was convulsed with laughter.
—Don Riddell, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
The lawsuit also claims that, while Gallegos was actively convulsing and bleeding on the bar’s floor, Perez and Stakley pointed their guns at him, threatened to shoot him, kicked him and stomped on his back
Gallegos was arrested that night and charged with obstructing a police officer.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025
To take but one example, the riots that convulsed swatches of England and Northern Ireland last year were fueled by social media accounts claiming sickening crimes by immigrants, amplified by right-wing accounts.
—David Robert Grimes, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulse
Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2025
When Woods’ teammate Tom Kim turned his back on a chip-in, tossing his club in celebration, oblivious to the fact that his ball had lipped out, Woods was convulsed with laughter.
—Don Riddell, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
The lawsuit also claims that, while Gallegos was actively convulsing and bleeding on the bar’s floor, Perez and Stakley pointed their guns at him, threatened to shoot him, kicked him and stomped on his back
Gallegos was arrested that night and charged with obstructing a police officer.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025
To take but one example, the riots that convulsed swatches of England and Northern Ireland last year were fueled by social media accounts claiming sickening crimes by immigrants, amplified by right-wing accounts.
—David Robert Grimes, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulse
Verb
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In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (R) after a signing ceremony following their bilateral talks at Kumsusan state residence in Pyongyang, on June 19, 2024.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
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For me, a perfect beach bag starts with a lightweight, oversized tote that’s easy to shake the sand out of—preferably a mesh or water-resistant style.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Trump’s early-morning social-media missive caused markets to shudder.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
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One shudders to think how Ross, whom Grant divorced in 1929, and who died in 1951, would have reacted to so echoing a lack.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Verb
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With an electropop base, an irresistible electric bass groove and enveloping harmonies, the song vibrates between what was and what will no longer be.—
Luisa Calle,
Billboard,
23 May 2025
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The soundtrack is a buffet of rapturous period jazz, some of it silky, some of it vibrating with skittery energy, much like Martial Solal’s score for Breathless itself.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Avoid jerking the floss or aggressive movements; instead, use smooth, gentle motions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
5 May 2025
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However, the pendulum appears to be jerking back toward the physically and mentally unhealthy skinny extreme–and a new TikTok trend serves as the latest example: SkinnyTok.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Nearby on the floor, O'Hara trembles and begs for her life.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
1 June 2025
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More recently, Trump announced 50% tariffs on goods from the European Union last Friday, sending investors trembling during the long holiday weekend, before walking back on the decision Sunday evening.—
Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
29 May 2025
Verb
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There’s quivering and shoving, growling and purring.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The journalist raised her hand, and her voice quivered in seeming alarm as the 6.2-magnitude quake shook Istanbul shortly before 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday, April 23.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Convulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulse. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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