as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
the Russian Revolution was one of the major convulsions of the 20th century
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Recent Examples of convulsion
There is no end to the impotent convulsions of an empire in decline.
—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
9 June 2026
Other people may experience symptoms, such as headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 June 2026
Gary McHugh went into convulsions.
—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2026
In the 1850s and 1860s, the partisan press in the United States helped stoke the political convulsions that led to the Civil War.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for convulsion
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
9 June 2026
Other people may experience symptoms, such as headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 June 2026
Gary McHugh went into convulsions.
—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2026
In the 1850s and 1860s, the partisan press in the United States helped stoke the political convulsions that led to the Civil War.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for convulsion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsion
Noun
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Was came from a working-class industrial city, making music reflective of Detroit’s technological upheaval and economic neglect.
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Unlike larger corporate counterparts, SMEs don't always have the financial reserves to comfortably absorb geopolitical upheaval and rapid inflation.
Noun
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The result, historians say, has become a centralized, more politicized spectacle, marking the national milestone as a celebration of an imperial presidency rather than a revolution from kingly rule.
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The company that manufactures the hardware powering the AI revolution acknowledges that the technology is more expensive than the people it was supposed to augment.
Noun
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Chevron benefits from unrest in the Middle East and other factors that can elevate energy prices.
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Shows of extravagance like these have not been met with kindness in a world torn by war, inflation, soaring gas prices and political unrest.
Noun
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As a reminder, the Mission San Juan Capistrano tour ends at the ruins of what’s now called the Great Stone Church, which collapsed in an 1812 earthquake that killed 40 Acjachemen worshippers.
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It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
Cite this Entry
“Convulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsion. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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