convulse — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To suffer violent involuntary contractions of the muscles, causing one's body to contort.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   He realized she was crying. He could feel her body convulsing with little sobs and her cheek was wet where it brushed his.

2. To be beset by political or social upheaval.

   Usage

   • Figurative
   • Intransitive

   Examples

   The Persian Empire was convulsing with intrigue, revolt, and civil war.

3. To cause (someone) to suffer such contractions, especially as a result of making them laugh heartily.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   But while he was convulsing all London with laughter, he was fast falling a victim to consumption.

4. To cause disruption to.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   For Lucifer, as Lord of Fire, was thought to suffer the most terrible pangs whenever the element of fire, over which he presided, was convulsed or agitated.

Verb

1. make someone convulse with laughter

   Broader terms

   amuse

   Examples

   The comedian convulsed the crowd

2. be overcome with laughter

   Broader terms

   laughexpress joyexpress mirth

3. move or stir about violently

   Synonyms

   threshthresh aboutthrashthrash aboutslashtossjactitate

   Broader terms

   shakeagitate

   Examples

   The feverish patient thrashed around in his bed

4. shake uncontrollably

   Broader terms

   shakeagitate

   Examples

   earthquakes convulsed the countryside

5. cause to contract

   Broader terms

   compressconstrictsqueezecompactcontractpress

   Examples

   The spasm convulses her facial muscles

6. contract involuntarily, as in a spasm

   Broader terms

   compressconstrictsqueezecompactcontractpress

   Examples

   The muscles in her face convulsed