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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of convulsive
When the train pulls away — and his target serenely waves goodbye through the window — Popeye’s convulsive rage is a quintessential Hackman flourish.
—
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025
The reversal of values, principles, and ideals has been convulsive.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 6 Feb. 2025
Patel’s past proposals, if carried out, would lead to convulsive change for an agency tasked not only with investigating violations of federal law but also protecting the country from terrorist attacks, foreign espionage and other threats.
—Eric Tucker and Alan Suderman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Coming at the end of a convulsive final day in Baku, Azerbaijan, the conclusion of the Conference of the Parties was greeted by applause.
—Antonio Piemontese, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025
The reversal of values, principles, and ideals has been convulsive.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 6 Feb. 2025
Patel’s past proposals, if carried out, would lead to convulsive change for an agency tasked not only with investigating violations of federal law but also protecting the country from terrorist attacks, foreign espionage and other threats.
—Eric Tucker and Alan Suderman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Coming at the end of a convulsive final day in Baku, Azerbaijan, the conclusion of the Conference of the Parties was greeted by applause.
—Antonio Piemontese, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for convulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive
Adjective
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All died in the turbulent waters of Lake Michigan while vacationing in South Haven, where public outrage over the lack of lifeguards has been building.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
21 July 2025
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Wander the ruins of Cristóvão de Moura’s palace, a poignant echo of Portugal’s turbulent entanglement with Spanish rule.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
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The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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An inside look at the birth and power of ferocious storms Lowry credits the current warming in the Atlantic to a weakening of the Bermuda High, a pattern of high pressure that expands and shrinks over the western Atlantic and heavily influences hurricane movement.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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That rear wing incorporates a Formula 1-style drag-reduction system, S-duct air channel, aggressive front splitter, and rear diffuser to help generate an impressive 860 kilograms of downforce at 177 mph for ferocious performance.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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The two have one of the fiercest rivals in college football known as the Iron Bowl.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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He’s also ruled out the Chinese mainland due to fierce competition, entrenched EV incumbents, and a power grid so advanced that ultra-fast charging is widely available—making battery swapping largely unnecessary.—
Clay Chandler,
Fortune,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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This ends up looking like a furious around-the-horn toss, with all three outfielders sprinting in to complete the drill.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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The House abruptly began its summer recess Wednesday evening, a day earlier than scheduled, as GOP leaders balked at efforts from Republicans and Democrats to press the Justice Department to make public government documents regarding Epstein. Democrats were furious.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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The island chain was (and is still being) formed by a volcanic hot spot that has so far created 15 different volcanoes that stretch 3,800 miles across the Pacific.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
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Schrodinger basin, a large impact crater near the moon’s south pole, shows evidence of geologically recent volcanic activity.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Next up in the renewables sector is the continuation of a rabid race to break ground on clean-energy projects to beat the tax credit deadlines.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
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Unvaccinated pets represent the greatest risk of rabies exposure to humans and are frequently the link between rabid wildlife and people.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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