as in earthquake
a shaking of the earth
the quake registered 6.5 on the Richter scale, causing widespread damage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
the horror film was so scary it left us quaking with fear for hours afterwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of quake
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
There has never been a quake that seriously damaged a delta levee.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
From a distance, Macdonald’s own life has the shudder of a dark fairy tale, answered by the quaking in his books.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quake
Noun
The six-mile deep quake hit three miles from Fairview, which is about a 30-mile drive southeast from San Francisco, at 10:55 p.m. on Monday, June 30, according to the USGS.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
There has never been a quake that seriously damaged a delta levee.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Verb
After the quaking subsides, Annie—left with no phone, money, or car—begins walking across what remains of the city.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
From a distance, Macdonald’s own life has the shudder of a dark fairy tale, answered by the quaking in his books.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quake
Noun
-
On Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, a flurry of small earthquakes shook the Iliamna volcano on June 15.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
-
While much of America has moved past COVID-19, the pandemic that hit the industry like an earthquake continues to experience aftershocks.—
Alexander Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić shaking hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 8, 2024.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
Nikki Bella and Lola Vice were shaking their hips in the middle of the ring, and Wade Barrett encouraged Michael Cole to show them what he’s got.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Symptoms can range from muscle twitching and tremors to confusion, irregular heartbeats, and, in severe cases, seizures or coma.—
Patricia Weiser,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
-
Ingesting just 1 to 2 milligrams — less than what’s inside a single regular-strength pouch — can cause nausea, vomiting and tremors, among other serious symptoms, according to the National Library of Medicine.—
Jeffrey Kopp,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
All those sharp tool and drills are enough to make anyone shudder.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
-
When only two vehicles remain on the far edge of the lot, the woman twists the key in the ignition and the idling car shudders still.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Having already had to navigate a 180-degree turn around a roundabout at 80km per hour, the road jerked to the left with around 1.6km remaining and, with some riders forced wide, the group was split.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
-
The passenger jerked forward and their belongings were thrown to the floor.—
Abhirup Roy,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Wires were seen submerged in pooling water across the floor and high winds made the floor and walls of the facility’s tents tremble, reporter video from CNN affiliate Spectrum News 13 showed.—
Devon M. Sayers,
CNN Money,
3 July 2025
-
The sound is electronic and rhythmically driven; the singing trembles with desire and confusion.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Somewhere around hour two of not moving, my hamstrings began to vibrate like the low end of a baby grand.—
Peter Rubin,
Longreads,
8 July 2025
-
Their beating wings vibrate, inadvertently loosening pollen, which then falls onto the female part of the flower.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Stanko appeared to be saying words, turned toward the families of the victims and then let out several quick breaths as his lips quivered.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 June 2025
-
Stanko appeared to be speaking, turned toward the families of the victims, and then let out several quick breaths as his lips quivered.—
Jeffrey Collins,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quake. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share