shudder

1 of 2

verb

shud·​der ˈshə-dər 

shuddered; shuddering ˈshə-d(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

: to tremble convulsively : shiver, quiver

shudder

2 of 2

noun

: an act of shuddering

shuddery

ˈshə-d(ə-)rē 

adjective

Synonyms of shudder

Verb

• shake
• jerk
• tremble
• shiver
• quiver
• vibrate

Noun

• shiver
• tremble

Examples of shudder in a Sentence

Verb

The old car shuddered to a halt.

The house shuddered as a plane flew overhead.

Noun

a shudder ran through him as he stepped outside into the snow

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There’s the studio version, which has some really interesting production, with Meg’s shuddering percussion that eventually grates and distracts, and Jack’s very chunky guitar. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

The water stops suddenly, making the pipe shudder or bang against the wall or another surface. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2026

Noun

Elsewhere, increasingly popular quadrupedal robot dogs deployed by the military and police have exhibited uncanny qualities that would make a Black Mirror writer shudder. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Beijing threatened to impose an export ban last year, sending a shudder across US industry. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English shoddren; akin to Old High German skutten to shake and perhaps to Lithuanian kutėti to shake up

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1607, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shudder

• shudder to think (of)

Rhymes for shudder

• kadir
• prader
• rudder
• scudder
• udder

Kids Definition

shudder

1 of 2 verb

shud·​der ˈshəd-ər 

shuddered; shuddering -(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to tremble with fear or horror or from cold

shuddered just thinking about it

2

: shake entry 1 sense 1, quiver

the train slowed and shuddered to a halt

shudder

2 of 2 noun

: an act of shuddering : shiver

shuddery

-(ə-)rē 

adjective

Medical Definition

shudder

intransitive verb

shud·​der ˈshəd-ər 

shuddered; shuddering

: to tremble convulsively : shiver

shudder noun