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
Relevance
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
huddled in the basement, we shuddered with fear as we heard the approaching tornado
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Martine Paris, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
One study that sent shudders through the food industry was an examination by researchers at Cornell University of purchases of 150,000 households.
—Catherine Arnst, Quartz, 13 May 2025
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
Noun
With a shudder, Anderson asked about the potential for AI to replace humans.
—Martine Paris, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
One study that sent shudders through the food industry was an examination by researchers at Cornell University of purchases of 150,000 households.
—Catherine Arnst, Quartz, 13 May 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
-
In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (R) after a signing ceremony following their bilateral talks at Kumsusan state residence in Pyongyang, on June 19, 2024.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
The ban, now on emergency pause by Burroughs, already has shaken some of the world’s brightest thinkers at a school often heralded as a premier global hub of higher learning.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
28 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
-
Avoid jerking the floss or aggressive movements; instead, use smooth, gentle motions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
5 May 2025
-
However, the pendulum appears to be jerking back toward the physically and mentally unhealthy skinny extreme–and a new TikTok trend serves as the latest example: SkinnyTok.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
17 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
Cite this Entry
“Shudder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shudder. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share