convulse — to shake violently and uncontrollably, especially due to illness or strong emotion
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to shake violently and uncontrollably, especially due to illness or strong emotion
Pronunciation (IPA): /kənˈvʌls/
Example Sentences
- The comedian's joke made the entire audience convulse with laughter.
- The earthquake convulsed the city for thirty terrifying seconds.
- My stomach convulsed after eating that mysterious street food.
convulse
VERB[/kənˈvʌls/]
to shake violently and uncontrollably, especially due to illness or strong emotion

The patient began to convulse violently as the doctors rushed to stabilize him.

Checking the pulse triggers an impulse as the body convulse!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin convulsus, the past participle of convellere, meaning 'to pull or tear violently.' The word combines con- (completely) with vellere (to pluck, pull, or tear), originally denoting the physical action of wrenching or tearing, which evolved to describe violent bodily movements or spasms.
Breakdown
con- (completely, thoroughly) + vuls- (from vellere: to pull, pluck, tear) + -e (Latin infinitive ending). The root vellere underwent sound change to vuls- in the past participle form convulsus.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The comedian's joke made the entire audience convulse with laughter.”
“The earthquake convulsed the city for thirty terrifying seconds.”
“My stomach convulsed after eating that mysterious street food.”
“The political scandal convulsed the nation just before the election.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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