as in trembling
marked by or given to small uncontrollable bodily movements
suffered a shaking chill during his bout with the flu
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in twitching
a series of slight movements by a body back and forth or from side to side
gave the bottle of salad dressing a good shaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in escape
the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable
condemned the government's shaking of its overseas responsibilities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in jerking
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
the bus rattled and shook as it barreled down a rutted road
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in avoiding
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
we shook our pursuers by cutting through the abandoned lot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shaking
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Bullet train services were temporarily disrupted, and cameras mounted on buildings showed visible shaking.
—Anthony Trotter, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2026
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
While Bryant was able to come from behind, the Lady Hornets had a hard time shaking off the Lady Warriors.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
That means shaking dusters outside to release particles, and washing rags in the washing machine along with a disinfecting solution of bleach or vinegar.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
His squad never looked capable of shaking off the cloud that hung over them.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
How to Repot Hoya If a hoya has been in its current pot for over two years without growth, Failla suggests removing the plant, shaking off the old soil, and replacing it with fresh, nutrient-rich soil before repotting it in the same container.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
The toddler adorably followed, holding and shaking her little fist.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The following color photo showed the Avatar star shaking Pope Leo's hand.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
Just two weeks ago, Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi was shaking hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
Noun
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Bullet train services were temporarily disrupted, and cameras mounted on buildings showed visible shaking.
—Anthony Trotter, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
Structure information summary Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable structures exist.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
While Bryant was able to come from behind, the Lady Hornets had a hard time shaking off the Lady Warriors.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
That means shaking dusters outside to release particles, and washing rags in the washing machine along with a disinfecting solution of bleach or vinegar.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
His squad never looked capable of shaking off the cloud that hung over them.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
How to Repot Hoya If a hoya has been in its current pot for over two years without growth, Failla suggests removing the plant, shaking off the old soil, and replacing it with fresh, nutrient-rich soil before repotting it in the same container.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
The toddler adorably followed, holding and shaking her little fist.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The following color photo showed the Avatar star shaking Pope Leo's hand.
—Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
Just two weeks ago, Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi was shaking hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaking
Noun
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Its strength ranges from mild, causing little more discomfort than a slight trembling, to severe, in which passengers or flight crew can be thrown around the cabin and risk injury if not wearing seatbelts.—
Cat Rainsford,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2026
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There’s Walter’s serene cello and Marjorie’s pensive, slightly coy violin, sometimes playful or petulant or, still, a little vain and secretive — other times thin and trembling, lost in the haze of dementia.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
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As a bonus, organizing your career change process while things are still good might transform this transition from being a desperate escape into a move from one enjoyable thing to the next.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
24 Jan. 2026
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The sensational nature of his escape and the substantial reward for his recapture brought in rumors from all over the state.—
Richard Selcer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The tear-jerking dramedy featured a breakthrough role for Emilia Jones, an Oscar-winning, scene-stealing turn by Troy Kotsur and a thoughtful narrative that took audiences into the personal lives of a deaf family with a single hearing member.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
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That jerking motion, combined with detergent and water, loosens dirt from the surfaces of clothing.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Fabian Leon, who was later charged with simple battery and avoiding security measures, the outlet said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Lessons from 1,000 Deals — Price Pritchett A practitioner’s guide to avoiding integration missteps, based on patterns observed across hundreds of real-world transactions.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After 10 weeks without food, Muraisi is experiencing involuntary muscular twitching and severe chest pains, according to Prisoners for Palestine, with her doctors warning of possible cardiovascular collapse.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Patients first experience twitching or weakness in a limb, as Decker did.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Accepting does not affect your right to opt-out at any time via the Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information link in the website footer.—
Prima Wirayani,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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But such policies are expensive and often complex to claim against – securing a pay-out may take months or even years.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Most of the camp was enclosed with an electrified fence, to keep out the Big Men, the massive, shuddering ursids that could not be named (more on that later).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Dec. 2025
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With haunted vocal multitracking and big, shuddering beats, the album builds to a climax in which hope and fear are swept into the same rush of human experience.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Shares of the Turkish state lender Halk Bankasi AS tumbled on Wednesday following the adjournment of a court status conference in the US related to charges of evading sanctions on Iran.—
Beril Akman,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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In July 2025, Mouton was reportedly arrested and charged with felon in possession of a weapon, evading arrest and drug possession.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaking. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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