shudder 1 of 2

as in shiver
an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold a shudder ran through him as he stepped outside into the snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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shudder

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shudder
Noun
Amina felt a shudder of annoyance at the bluntness of the comment, and also at its blindness—that signs of her transformation should be guessed at from her appearance. Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025 Over Martin’s delicate playing, her aching rasp resonated to the rafters, a melancholy shudder that still sounded comforting. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
Old Thunderbird shuddered under the force of the impact and then fell over onto his side. Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025 Brides-to-be who lived through the early aughts may understandably shudder at the thought. Shelby Wax, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shudder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shudder
Noun
  • The females’ eggs, fertilized by the males’ shivers, will hatch over the next few months.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Merely the thought of any potential Chinese aggression in Taiwan sends shivers down the spines of industry, market, and government officials, and an outright attack would put the worldwide economy in a tailspin.
    Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 contestant Phoenix's drama with Ice Spice must've stirred too much after the season 3 queen clapped back against the guest judge's Main Stage critiques about her icon status, but the Drag Race OG hopes the rapper isn't too shaken in the aftermath.
    Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 17 May 2025
  • Clips of the pair shaking hands alongside the disco beat are making the rounds on social media.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Furman is one of a kind: a trans, devoutly Jewish former rabbinical student who’s written a book about Lou Reed and sings folk-punk songs in a mercurial tremble.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
  • Valeria leaves guard duties to Ellen, a grandmother with a constant tremble in her hands from her MS.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Earthquakes cause the ground to move in unpredictable ways, sometimes sharply jerking, other times swaying like a ship in rough seas.
    Maya Wei-Haas, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Confused Lochlan, who thoughtfully jerked off his older brother so that Saxon wouldn’t feel left out.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There’s quivering and shoving, growling and purring.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The journalist raised her hand, and her voice quivered in seeming alarm as the 6.2-magnitude quake shook Istanbul shortly before 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday, April 23.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • With an electropop base, an irresistible electric bass groove and enveloping harmonies, the song vibrates between what was and what will no longer be.
    Luisa Calle, Billboard, 23 May 2025
  • The soundtrack is a buffet of rapturous period jazz, some of it silky, some of it vibrating with skittery energy, much like Martial Solal’s score for Breathless itself.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shudder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shudder. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

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