Synonyms of convulsive

convulsive

adjective

kən-ˈvəl-siv 

1

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

• turbulent
• cataclysmic
• tumultuous
• spasmodic
• tempestuous
• stormy
• fitful
• sporadic
• boisterous
• cataclysmal
• riotous
• noisy
• furious
• clamorous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• peaceful
• undisturbed
• placid
• serene
• tranquil
• unperturbed
• untroubled
• unshaken

2

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

• violent
• ferocious
• turbulent
• fierce
• furious
• volcanic
• rabid
• rough
• explosive
• paroxysmal
• vicious
• tumultuous
• cyclonic
• brutal
• tempestuous
• hot
• stormy
• savage
• aggressive
• volatile
• blood-and-guts
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• bang-bang
• knock-down, drag-out
• barbarous
• hammer-and-tongs
• hostile
• frantic
• destructive
• contentious
• mad
• antagonistic
• belligerent
• frenzied
• bellicose
• combative
• pugnacious
• agitated
• cataclysmic
• combustible
• truculent
• gladiatorial
• quarrelsome
• assertive
• ruinous
• cataclysmal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peaceful
• peaceable
• nonviolent
• calm
• tranquil
• serene
• pacific
• halcyon
• nonbelligerent
• unaggressive

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

Examples of convulsive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But remember: Not all seizures are convulsive or cause a loss of consciousness. —Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024

But the sight of him in it reduces his mother to convulsive sobs. —Colin Thubron, The New York Review of Books, 19 Jan. 2023

The third anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack comes during the most convulsive period in American politics in at least a generation, with Congress barely able to keep up with the basics of governing, and the start of the presidential nominating contests just over a week away. —Lisa Mascaro, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2024

But recent developments are starting to change that equation, most of them stemming in some way from the convulsive effects of climate change. —Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023