convulsion

noun

kən-ˈvəl-shən How to pronounce convulsion (audio)
Definition of convulsionnext
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) the Russian Revolution was one of the major convulsions of the 20th century

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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 convulsion Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as a high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, but more serious symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 17 Aug. 2026 The severe strain of the virus often presents as a fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, or paralysis. — Mary Ella Hastings july 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026 Later Wednesday, Mexico City Health Secretary Nadine Gasman, told a news conference that another man, about 30, was treated by emergency personnel after suffering an epileptic seizure, convulsions, and gastrointestinal bleeding. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 It is known to cause neurological problems, convulsions and comas, with children particularly at risk. — Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for convulsion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for convulsion
  1. upheaval
  2. revolution
  3. unrest
  4. earthquake
Noun
  • The urgency of their push comes as major European companies undergo huge job losses — Volkswagen plans to cut 100,000 workers — which experts have said could drive political upheaval.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The turnaround has revived some fans’ hopes, but years of coaching and front-office upheaval and the departure of popular players have eroded trust.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of upheaval
Noun
  • The revolution has been crushed, tens of thousands remain imprisoned, and economic hardship has broken the backs of Egyptians.
    — Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The roots of that revolution were first planted in that warm soil by Cooke, who died in 1997, and Rothenberg six decades ago.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of revolution
Noun
  • India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are among the countries that are most exposed to food security risk from the super El Niño and also face the highest risk of civil unrest due to rising prices, Verisk Maplecroft said.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • French youths have been demonstrating over poor conditions at school buildings, and analysts expect unrest to intensify after a teenager’s hand was blown off by a riot police sting grenade.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of unrest
Noun
  • The earthquake's epicenter was approximately 10 miles east-northeast of Willows and occurred at a depth of 13 miles.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • By 1926, Caltech was running the Seismo Lab with the Carnegie Institution, where seismologists like Beno Gutenberg and Charles Richter would deepen our understanding of earthquakes.
    — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of earthquake

Browse Nearby Words

convulsing
convulsion
convulsions
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Cite this Entry

“Convulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/convulsion. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on convulsion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about convulsion

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