CONVULSIVE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'convulsive' contrast with its synonyms?

The words fitful and spasmodic are common synonyms of convulsive . While all three words mean "lacking steadiness or regularity in movement," convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement. // convulsive shocks

Q: Where would 'fitful' be a reasonable alternative to 'convulsive'?

Although the words fitful and convulsive have much in common, fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings. // fitful sleep

Q: How do 'spasmodic' and 'fitful' relate to one another, in the sense of 'convulsive'?

Spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity. // spasmodic growth

convulsive

adjective

kən-ˈvəl-siv

Definition of convulsive

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective convulsive contrast with its synonyms?

The words fitful and spasmodic are common synonyms of convulsive. While all three words mean "lacking steadiness or regularity in movement," convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement.

convulsive shocks

Where would fitful be a reasonable alternative to convulsive?

Although the words fitful and convulsive have much in common, fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings.

fitful sleep

How do spasmodic and fitful relate to one another, in the sense of convulsive?

Spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity.

spasmodic growth

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive

Adjective

Marrow Deep at times feels turbulent, ornate, measured, chaotic, and cathartic.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Matthews addressed The Bachelorette lead’s turbulent relationship with Mortensen, which encompasses a history of domestic violence.

— McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of turbulent

Adjective

Their arrival comes during a violent week in Haiti; at least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped, according to Haitian officials.

— Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Karilyn Orr, an internal safety and prevention specialist in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and Nick Jakubisin, a special agent in the Illinois State Police’s violent crimes unit, joined Hills in the presentation.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of violent

Adjective

That was the last time Tamang saw Yangri, who was whisked away by ferocious flash floods that ripped through this part of the Himalayan nation earlier this week.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
The run game of Agoura is ferocious and experienced, but Westlake’s QB play is better.

— Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adjective

Casemiro and Messi, fierce rivals when Casemiro was at Real Madrid and Messi at Barcelona, celebrated together, a rare sight for longtime La Liga fans.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Pearce was celebrating five years of Opry membership and would return later to channel many aspects of Dolly, from her humor and fierce independence to her Appalachian roots.

— Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

Kavanagh was furious and repeatedly made her concerns clear to her superiors at Sky.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
Mother Love Bone had experienced the kind of instant success that made other local bands furious, signing a record deal after playing fewer than 10 shows.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of furious

Adjective

This is the first rabid bat reported in the county since 2024, when two bats tested positive for rabies.

— Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Sutter County health officials have confirmed a bat captured inside a Yuba City home was rabid and are telling residents to act with caution.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rabid

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“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of convulsive

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