1
as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
the assassination of Martin Luther King was one of the most convulsive events of the 1960s
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
after a day of convulsive trading, the stock market was down 300 points
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of convulsive
There’s a physically primal element that feels new to Hathaway here, and not just in the film’s early convulsive silent dance sequence.
—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
At a meeting there believers are purged of their sins after confessing and then shouting, howling, stomping, dancing, in a convulsive shedding of guilt.
—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
21 Jan. 2026
During the past six months, Bondi has presided over the most convulsive transition of power in the Justice Department since the Watergate era, and perhaps in the hundred-and-fifty-five-year history of the department.
—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
But for anyone with a taste for operatic violence and fountains of blood as shotgun and assault rifle blasts send bodies flying in slo-mo or dancing like convulsive marionettes, Gareth Evans’ gritty neo-noir will be just the ticket.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
At a meeting there believers are purged of their sins after confessing and then shouting, howling, stomping, dancing, in a convulsive shedding of guilt.
—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
21 Jan. 2026
During the past six months, Bondi has presided over the most convulsive transition of power in the Justice Department since the Watergate era, and perhaps in the hundred-and-fifty-five-year history of the department.
—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
But for anyone with a taste for operatic violence and fountains of blood as shotgun and assault rifle blasts send bodies flying in slo-mo or dancing like convulsive marionettes, Gareth Evans’ gritty neo-noir will be just the ticket.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
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Weaker global markets, which have impacted tech stock valuations, and the turbulent performance of SpaceX’s recent massive IPO were among the top concerns cited by insiders who have made the case that patience is a virtue.
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His confirmation closes one of the most turbulent presidential searches in UF history.
Adjective
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Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, writes about violent weather, climate change and other news.
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English soccer fans have earned a reputation for violent hooliganism, hurling plastic chairs and brawling their way across the piazzas and boulevards of Europe.
Adjective
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Speaking of, Ross asked Janssen about the steamy bathhouse scene during which Xenia and Bond face off in an encounter that is both flirty and ferocious.
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In 2018, a blaze east of Athens moved with ferocious speed, killing more than 100 people.
Adjective
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The 2023 arrest of her then-10-year-old cousin for urinating in public brought fierce condemnation.
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For a party that prides itself on diversity, the clashes have exacerbated fierce debates over identity politics and long-standing rifts between progressives and moderates.
Adjective
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The Kang Kon was unveiled a month after the Choe Hyon in May 2025, but it was damaged during a botched launch at the northern port of Chongjin, prompting a furious response from Kim.
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Croatia still furious Despite the correct decision being made, Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić was far from happy, saying VAR had ruined the spirit of the game.
Adjective
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Schrodinger basin, a large impact crater near the moon’s south pole, shows evidence of geologically recent volcanic activity.
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Alpha Estate Greek wine travel is often associated with the sea, whether through the volcanic cliffs of the islands or tavernas along the coast.
Adjective
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San Joaquin County is seeing a rise in rabid bats, but public health officials said not to worry.
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The moment Rekha moves to task 9, the tone shifts into rabid competition mode.
Cite this Entry
“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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