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convulsive

convulsive

1 8.0
Sudden, intense body actions you cannot control, like violent laughing or sobbing
  • adjective
  • /kənˈvəl.sɪv/
translation icon : convulsivo
  • No one knows who will live in this cage in the future, or whether in the end of this tremendous development entirely new prophets will arise, or there will be a great rebirth of old ideas and ideals, or, if neither, mechanized petrifaction, embellished with a sort of convulsive self-importance.

Examples

  • During the horror movie, she experienced convulsive shivers every time a scare occurred.

  • Things like that could perhaps render people desperate, leading them to rise in a convulsive spasm of anger and despair.

  • At the sound of this, they are both taken with a fit of convulsive giggling.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • [ Convulsive Sobs ]

  • She rode in tight-mouthed containment until the Nurses' Quarters, where she allowed herself to be helped off in a state of convulsive hysteria.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • And the last time he was here, more or less a week ago, that trembling that I've only now managed to decode, to extract from its apparently mechanical roots, was more intense, more convulsive than usual.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The comedian's jokes left the audience in a state of convulsive laughter, unable to control their amusement.

  • Hearing the shocking news, he had a convulsive reaction, gasping and clutching his chest.

Synonyms

shuddering
vsconvulsive
2 5.1

Shaking strongly because of fear, cold, or strong emotion

is more sudden and medically uncontrolled rather than an emotional reaction
spasmodic
vsconvulsive
2 8.1

Happening suddenly in short, irregular bursts or movements

is more violent and uncontrollable with whole body shaking
ictic
vsconvulsive
  • Specialized
9.9

Relating to a seizure, often seen in epilepsy

is more general and not limited to medical seizure contexts
epileptiform
vsconvulsive
  • Specialized
9.8

Showing brain activity like that during a seizure

is broader covering sudden violent fits not only epileptic ones
spasmic
vsconvulsive
7.9

Happening in sudden short uncontrolled movements or bursts

is broader and more violent rather than small local muscle jerks

Antonyms

235 1.0

Kind and not strong in action, sound, or touch

Kept within limits by careful management

How Violent

epileptiform
  • Specialized
9.8
convulsive
1 8.0
spasmodic
2 8.1
jerky
48 4.3

Surface Forms

convulsive positive

Morphology

convulsive = convulse (transparent) = convulse + ive

Formed from the verb 'convulse' with the adjectival suffix '-ive', so the meaning 'resembling or causing convulsions' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Convulsive comes from the Latin parts con- 'together' and vellere 'to pull'. Think of many forces pulling at once and causing a sudden, uncontrollable shake, which is why convulsive can mean sudden, violent, and uncontrollable actions like laughter or sobs.