as in shook
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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Recent Examples of convulsed
Soltani’s precarious fate became one of the most high profile cases internationally during the huge anti-government protests that convulsed Iran last month.
—
Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
The raid convulsed that country, and the effects still ripple through this oil-rich city, home to major petroleum companies as well as a large Venezuelan community.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 1 Feb. 2026
The massacre in Mashhad unfolded on January 8th, after Iranians across the country went out to protest the regime—the culmination of a movement that had convulsed the country for nearly two weeks, following the collapse of the economy.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
For days, the president has issued increasingly bellicose warnings toward Tehran as protests have convulsed the Islamic Republic.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
Before the advent of the modern state, the economy convulsed with financial panics roughly every 20 years.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
The young republic’s survival hinged on distancing itself from a Europe convulsed by revolution and war.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The giddiest among them were new DWTS pro Jan Ravnik and Richter's wife, Jennifer Herrera Richter, who convulsed with joy in the seats behind Richter, Bersten, and Slater.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
According to witnesses cited by The New York Times, Boyd heaved and convulsed for about 15 minutes before he was pronounced dead — a length of time that exceeded the estimates of the Supreme Court’s liberal minority.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 2 Feb. 2026
The raid convulsed that country, and the effects still ripple through this oil-rich city, home to major petroleum companies as well as a large Venezuelan community.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 1 Feb. 2026
The massacre in Mashhad unfolded on January 8th, after Iranians across the country went out to protest the regime—the culmination of a movement that had convulsed the country for nearly two weeks, following the collapse of the economy.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2026
For days, the president has issued increasingly bellicose warnings toward Tehran as protests have convulsed the Islamic Republic.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
Before the advent of the modern state, the economy convulsed with financial panics roughly every 20 years.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
The young republic’s survival hinged on distancing itself from a Europe convulsed by revolution and war.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The giddiest among them were new DWTS pro Jan Ravnik and Richter's wife, Jennifer Herrera Richter, who convulsed with joy in the seats behind Richter, Bersten, and Slater.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025
According to witnesses cited by The New York Times, Boyd heaved and convulsed for about 15 minutes before he was pronounced dead — a length of time that exceeded the estimates of the Supreme Court’s liberal minority.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsed
Verb
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Tomlyn asked, to which Chloe shook her head no.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
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And after Britain scored four stones to take the score to 10-5 in end seven, Estonia’s Marie Kaldvee and Lill Harri also called an end to their match and shook hands.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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The two stood nose-to-nose on the field when the Steelers player grabbed onto Chase’s facemask, jerked his head and appeared to punch him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
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No one spoke until Chuky shuddered his head and this time without laughing said, Shit, that’s crazy.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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East Denver sushi fans shuddered in late December when Okinawa Japanese Cuisine, a mainstay on Colfax Avenue since 2010, closed and boarded up its doors with brown paper.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Group chats vibrated in confusion, anger and disbelief.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
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There was a low rumble that vibrated for a second or two, then faded away.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Convulsed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsed. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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