convulsive
2
8.0
- adjective
- /kənˈvəl.sɪv/
- 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.
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At the sound of this, they are both taken with a fit of convulsive giggling.
Fiction book (2001) -
[ Convulsive Sobs ]
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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
5
5.1
Shaking strongly because of fear, cold, or strong emotion
2
8.1
Happening suddenly in short, irregular bursts or movements
1
9.8
Showing brain activity like that during a seizure
1
7.9
Happening in sudden short uncontrolled movements or bursts
Relating to a seizure, often seen in epilepsy
Antonyms
How Violent
Surface Forms
Morphology
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.