convulsively

American  

[kuhn-vuhls-iv-lee] / kənˈvʌls ɪv li /

adverb

1. in a convulsive way.

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Explanation

To do something convulsively is to do it in an irregular, jerky way. If you can't help laughing convulsively during a friend's awkward speech, you'll be shaking with laughter. Movements that are connected to actual convulsions — the involuntary, abnormal movement of the body's muscles — happen convulsively. Other things occur convulsively too, like hiccups and laughter and crying: "She sobbed convulsively when her dog ran away." The adverb convulsively comes from the verb convulse, which is rooted in the Latin convulsus, "pulled away" or "wrenched."

Example Sentences

I was vomiting so convulsively they removed them to get the spasms to stop.

From Washington Post • May 27, 2022

Not convulsively, but enough that I didn’t get kicked out of the joint.

From Golf Digest • Apr. 28, 2020

But in the end, the boy was sobbing convulsively.

From The New Yorker • May 27, 2017

This movie may be a convulsively entertaining throwback to Scott’s glory days, but to look upon Fassbender, with his icy and seductive post-human gaze, is to behold this franchise’s future.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2017

Beneath the blankets, I shiver convulsively, pieces of me breaking off onto my pillow.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart