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 The question of Armenian identity and the very fate of the Armenian people seem to be at stake in this kinetic, formally convulsive work. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for convulsive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsive

Adjective

While introducing his new film, Gilroy praised the festival’s lineup as a bright spot amid an increasingly turbulent Hollywood landscape.

— Antonio Ferme, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Given today's turbulent prices, don't read too much into MSRPs for products like graphics cards in 2026.

— Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of turbulent

Adjective

France is currently in the throes of another political crisis, with violent student protests now stretching into their third week.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
The protest was sparked by photos shared on the social media platform Snapchat showing violent messages threatening to rape and kill a female student.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of violent

Adjective

In the Atlantic, not a single hurricane has formed yet, a record for this late into hurricane season, due to ferocious wind shear brought on by El Niño.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
When the Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo in June, the natural instinct was to focus on the prodigious point production (57th all time), the volume rebounding (71st all time), the thunderous dunks and the ferocious forays to the basket.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adjective

In the aftermath of City being found guilty of a raft of financial breaches another fierce welcome was expected.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Her fierce survival instincts see her turn the tables on them, transforming their hunt into her own cat-and-mouse game.

— Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

In an early scene, Misty is jolted awake by the man’s furious widow, Celine (Amy Landecker), who has just discovered the apartment on her husband’s ledgers and is intent on kicking out his mistress.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
The fourth disc has the Attractions playing these songs live, after the album was out, in increasingly furious fashion.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of furious

Adjective

The designation indicates heightened volcanic activity and the potential for an eruption, or an eruption underway with limited hazards to aviation.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Years of fountains With three active volcanic regions that engage in fountaining, there has been a steady flow of dramatic videos of red-hot molten rock spouting from the Earth.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of volcanic

Adjective

The outsized performance of movies such as Obsession and Backrooms sparked a rabid interest from studios in a generation of filmmakers who did not come up the traditional latter, but instead rose up making short-form content on digital platforms.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
So far this year, there have been a record-breaking 70 rabid bats confirmed in Los Angeles County.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rabid

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convulsions

convulsive

coo

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“Convulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsive. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of convulsive

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