shudder

1 of 2

verb

shud·​der ˈshə-dər How to pronounce shudder (audio)
shuddered; shuddering ˈshə-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce shudder (audio)
Synonyms of shudder

intransitive verb

: to tremble convulsively : shiver, quiver

shudder

2 of 2

noun

: an act of shuddering
shuddery adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
A lot of people are upset by the notion of bringing cage fights to the White House, shuddering at the bad taste of it all. Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 Design practices Not knowing ahead of time what lunar explorers may face is an unsure, shuddering proposition. Leonard David, Space.com, 20 June 2026
Noun
The tensions, which have sent a shudder across many American industries, have prompted Washington to seek new sources of rare earths. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 22 June 2026 Whoever ends up playing the America 250 or (shudder) Freedom 250 gigs, the Chicks are our pick for Band of the Sesquicentennial. Chris Willman, Variety, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shudder

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of shudder was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shudder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shudder. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

shudder

1 of 2 verb
shud·​der ˈshəd-ər How to pronounce shudder (audio)
shuddered; shuddering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce shudder (audio)
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 adjective

Medical Definition

shudder

intransitive verb
shud·​der ˈshəd-ər How to pronounce shudder (audio)
shuddered; shuddering
: to tremble convulsively : shiver
shudder noun

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