convulse
Shake with force
To convulse is to shake violently and uncontrollably.
The word applies most literally to seizures or spasms: Her body convulsed as the fever spiked.
It extends to any sudden, powerful contraction or upheaval: The country was convulsed by civil war.
Laughter can convulse someone, meaning it seizes them so completely they shake: The audience was convulsed with laughter.
Involuntary muscular jerk
- jerkAbrupt pulling motion
- contractionReduction in size
- crampPainful muscle seizure
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
shudder · thrash · writhe · spasticity · tic · fibrillation · paroxysm · clench
Trembling or blended treat
- quiverTrembling or arrow case
- shiverInvoluntary trembling sensation
- quakeSeismic ground trembling
- vibrateShake with small movements
jolt · shudder · oscillate · flutter · palpitate · rock · rattle · agitate
Intensely, painfully funny
- hystericsUncontrollable emotional outburst
- howlProlonged mournful cry
- roarLoud, deep animal cry
- double overBend forward suddenly
helpless · tears · uncontrollable · paroxysm · cackle · guffaw · snort · chortle
Brain disorder causing seizures
- tonic-clonicSeizure with rigidity and convulsions
- grand malSevere convulsive seizure type
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
- fitProper or healthy
anticonvulsant · aura · myoclonic · atonic · febrile · electroencephalogram · EEG · phenytoin
Violent disturbance or confusion
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
coup · insurrection · riot · uprising · mutiny · unrest · revolt · destabilize
twitch
Involuntary muscular jerk
- jerkAbrupt pulling motion
- contractionReduction in size
- crampPainful muscle seizure
tremor · shudder · thrash · writhe · spasticity · tic · fibrillation · paroxysm · clench · rigidity
shake
Trembling or blended treat
vibrate · jolt · shudder · oscillate · flutter · palpitate · rock · rattle · agitate · pulsate
sidesplitting
Intensely, painfully funny
double over · helpless · tears · uncontrollable · paroxysm · cackle · guffaw · snort · chortle · in stitches
epilepsy
Brain disorder causing seizures
- tonic-clonicSeizure with rigidity and convulsions
- grand malSevere convulsive seizure type
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
fit · anticonvulsant · aura · myoclonic · atonic · febrile · electroencephalogram · EEG · phenytoin · valproate
turmoil
Violent disturbance or confusion
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- rebellionDefiance of established power
revolution · coup · insurrection · riot · uprising · mutiny · unrest · revolt · destabilize · rock
convulsesteady
Fixed, not fluctuating
still · motionless · stabilize · immobilize · relax
convulsion, convulsive, convulsions, convulsed, convulsively, convulsing, convulses