tremulous

trem·u·lous

adj \-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

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Rhymes with TREMULOUS

emulous