What does convulse mean?
To convulse is to shake violently and uncontrollably, whether through involuntary muscle contractions, overwhelming emotion, or figurative turmoil. In its most literal medical sense, a body or limb convulses when gripped by spasms, as during a seizure. Applied to people, the verb often describes being seized by laughter or grief so intense it produces physical shaking — audiences are said to be 'convulsed with laughter'. Journalists extend the word figuratively to nations and institutions, describing societies convulsed by war, revolution, or economic crisis. The word carries a connotation of force and loss of control: whatever is convulsed cannot govern its own movement. It derives ultimately from the Latin convellere, meaning 'to tear loose' or 'to pull violently', sharing a root with 'revulsion' and 'convulsion'. Its derivatives include the noun 'convulsion' and the adjective 'convulsive'. Formal in tone, it lends drama and gravity to writing about illness, emotion, and upheaval.
verbTo shake or agitate violently and uncontrollably, as with involuntary muscular contractions or intense emotion.
- Of the body or a limb: to undergo violent, involuntary muscular contractions (as in seizures).
- Of a person: to be shaken by uncontrollable emotion, especially laughter or grief.
- (Figurative) Of a country, society, or institution: to be shaken by upheaval, crisis, or turmoil.
"The patient's whole body was convulsed by violent spasms."
"The child's arm began to convulse after the fever spiked."
"The audience was convulsed with laughter throughout the final act."
"Convulse" comes from the same Latin verb as "revulsion" — both trace back to vellere, 'to pluck' or 'to tear away', so a convulsing body is literally being torn by invisible forces.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of convulse
"Convulse" comes from the Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere, formed from com- ('together') and vellere ('to pluck, pull, or tear out'), hence originally 'to tear apart violently'. English adopted it in the early 17th century, initially in medical contexts describing spasms before extending to emotional and figurative upheaval. It shares this root with related borrowings such as 'revulsion', 'avulsion', and 'evulsion', all of which preserve the sense of tearing or pulling away.
Related word forms
How convulse is actually used
Mostly formal or literary in register. When applied to people rather than bodies, it is usually followed by an emotion ('convulsed with laughter/grief'). The figurative political sense is common in journalism.
Easily confused with convulse
Repulse means to drive back or reject an attack or advance, while convulse means to shake something with violent, uncontrolled movements.