tremulous

trem·u·lous

adjective \-ləs\

Definition of TREMULOUS

1

: characterized by or affected with trembling or tremors

2

: affected with timidity : timorous

3

: such as is or might be caused by nervousness or shakiness <a tremulous smile>

4

: exceedingly sensitive : easily shaken or disordered

— trem·u·lous·ly adverb

— trem·u·lous·ness noun

Examples of TREMULOUS

1. She opened the letter with tremulous hands.
2. He spoke with a tremulous voice.

Origin of TREMULOUS

Latin tremulus — more at tremble

First Known Use: 1611

Related to TREMULOUS

Synonyms

fainthearted, fearful, fearsome, mousy (or mousey), scary, skittish, timid, timorous, shy

Antonyms

adventuresome, adventurous, audacious, bold, daring, dashing, gutsy, hardy, venturesome, venturous

Related Words

chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, cowardly, craven, dastardly, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], poltroon, pusillanimous, spineless, unheroic, yellow; jittery, jumpy, spooky; anxious, apprehensive, nervous; afraid, alarmed, horrified, panicked, panicky, panic-stricken, scared, shocked, spooked, startled, terrified, terrorized, unnerved

Near Antonyms

brave, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undaunted, valiant, valorous; assured, confident, self-assured, self-confident; determined, firm, game, plucky, resolute, undeterred, unflinching, unswerving; mettlesome, spirited, spunky

Rhymes with TREMULOUS

emulous

trem·u·lous

adjective \ˈtrem-yə-ləs\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TREMULOUS

: characterized by or affected with trembling or tremors

—trem·u·lous·ness noun