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
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Recent Examples of quake
Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 28 Feb. 2026
There have been no reports of injuries or damage as a result of the quake.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Julia Sullivan, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
Anyone whose legs have quaked after step-ups, or whose chest has felt personally attacked by push-ups, would argue: yes.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quake
Noun
Among the properties to see are the Palazzo Alfieri, with roots in the 1400s, whose reconstruction after the 2009 quake brought new period frescoes to light.
—Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 28 Feb. 2026
There have been no reports of injuries or damage as a result of the quake.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
The jiggly, quaking contraption is eye-catching—a natural social media star.
—Julia Sullivan, Outside, 23 Dec. 2025
Anyone whose legs have quaked after step-ups, or whose chest has felt personally attacked by push-ups, would argue: yes.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quake
Noun
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Those who felt the earthquake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Plage d'Agadir, Morocco The modern city of Agadir grew from the ruins of an older town that was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1960s.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Witnesses described the Israeli airstrikes as particularly intense, shaking homes in the area.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Hopes for any stability and settling out, however, have been quickly shaken.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The political tremors triggered by the ballot measure already have reshaped California’s political landscape.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Weak to light shaking has been detected and people reported feeling the tremor in several cities, including Geyserville, Kelseyville and Cloverdale according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Someone suggests aguachile, a word that makes Top Chef fans everywhere — or maybe just me — shudder in Pavlovian irritation given its ubiquity in this competition.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
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Later, when Tristan gently put his hand on Marke’s shoulder, the king shuddered.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Don't jerk the steering wheel, as the overreaction can cause the vehicle to slide further or roll.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Giddey stopped, the ball cradled in his palm, shouting while jerking his hand in the rough direction of his intended pass.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The influencer recounted this to his fans with a trembling voice, but his typical setup hadn’t changed.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
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Cross-country skiing is known for its attrition, an event that leaves its competitors foam-mouthed and slack-jawed; athletes of iron reduced to trembling and contorted shapes on the floor.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Taken from a Kamikaze menu Garcia created for Huerta’s birthday, the tom yum aguachile vibrates with heat under a canopy of fresh tortilla chips shaped like half moons.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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When stepping near areas of quicksand, the ground may move, ripple, or subtly vibrate, indicating a lack of support below the surface.—
Outside,
Outside,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For a moment, the plane quivered around them like a greyhound straining on a leash.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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The mesmerizing evolution reaches its peak when a quivering guitar solo jettisons into view.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quake. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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