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

Hotels used in talks last week have already asked patrons leave as the country shudders into another quasi-lockdown. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026

But unless you currently are embroiled in the planning or, shudder, the paying for one, its latest theatrical production will, Chris Jones fears, be less than engrossing. —Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Noun

That process of a rupture hitting a barrier creates a signature called a stopping phase—a seismic shudder traveling the opposite direction to the main rupture. —Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026

China controls the majority of the world’s supply, and Beijing’s brief export restrictions last year on the minerals — critical for the defense and energy sectors — sent shudders through US industry. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 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

• 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