convulsive

adjective con·vul·sive \kən-ˈvəl-siv\

: involving or causing a sudden violent shaking of the muscles in your body that you are unable to control

: causing the entire body to shake

Full Definition of CONVULSIVE

a : constituting or producing a convulsion

b : caused by or affected with convulsions

: resembling a convulsion in being violent, sudden, frantic, or spasmodic <convulsive laughter>

— con·vul·sive·ly adverb

— con·vul·sive·ness noun

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See convulsive defined for kids

First Known Use of CONVULSIVE

1615

Related to CONVULSIVE

Synonyms: cataclysmal (or cataclysmic), stormy, tempestuous, tumultuous, turbulent

Antonyms: nonviolent, peaceable, peaceful

Synonym Discussion of CONVULSIVE

fitful, spasmodic, convulsive mean lacking steadiness or regularity in movement. fitful implies intermittence, a succession of starts and stops or risings and fallings <fitful sleep>. spasmodic adds to fitful the implication of rapid or violent activity alternating with inactivity <spasmodic growth>. convulsive suggests the breaking of regularity or quiet by uncontrolled movement <convulsive shocks>.

Rhymes with CONVULSIVE

compulsive, expulsive, impulsive, propulsive, repulsive, revulsive

CONVULSIVENESS Defined for Kids

convulsive

adjective con·vul·sive \kən-ˈvəl-siv\

Definition of CONVULSIVE for Kids

: causing or marked by violent, frantic, or jerky movement <By convulsive efforts he got on his feet, staggered, and fell. — Jack London, The Call of the Wild>

— con·vul·sive·ly adverb

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