as in earthquakes
a shaking of the earth
the quake registered 6.5 on the Richter scale, causing widespread damage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in shakes
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
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Recent Examples of quakes
Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
And even in their weight these buildings are even, equal configurations in their overall size and width, with pillars that were built for the floods or for the quakes.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The region is highly seismically active, and quakes have caused thousands of deaths in recent years.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
But after several weeks, the quakes dropped off.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Seismic activity in the area is limited, but USGS data show similar quakes have occurred within 5 to 10 miles over time.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Those Apollo-era seismometers revealed that the moon is surprisingly active, recording thousands of quakes between 1969 and 1977 — but the tools were heavy, expensive and limited in reach.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The most likely hours for these quakes are late night through sunrise, which is typically the coldest time each day.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The San Ramon Valley has a history of earthquake swarms, when small quakes repeatedly strike the same region.
—Sarah Ravani, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
Afghanistan lies in a highly seismically active part of the world, and quakes have caused thousands of deaths in recent years.
—Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
And even in their weight these buildings are even, equal configurations in their overall size and width, with pillars that were built for the floods or for the quakes.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The region is highly seismically active, and quakes have caused thousands of deaths in recent years.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
But after several weeks, the quakes dropped off.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Seismic activity in the area is limited, but USGS data show similar quakes have occurred within 5 to 10 miles over time.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Those Apollo-era seismometers revealed that the moon is surprisingly active, recording thousands of quakes between 1969 and 1977 — but the tools were heavy, expensive and limited in reach.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2026
The most likely hours for these quakes are late night through sunrise, which is typically the coldest time each day.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The San Ramon Valley has a history of earthquake swarms, when small quakes repeatedly strike the same region.
—Sarah Ravani, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quakes
Noun
-
That makes for five minor quakes since Easter Sunday, all centered in a region where earthquakes have been uncommon in the past 26 years.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Apr. 2026
-
From wildfires fueled by heat and drought to floods and debris flows following record rainfall — and the ever-present risk of earthquakes — natural disasters are an ongoing reality in Southern California.—
Cox Communications,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rx bars were fanned out on a silver platter, Lean Body shakes dotted the table, cups of Chobani were arranged in a pyramid.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Use protein powders in smoothies or shakes to help fill nutrient gaps.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
By the end of 2025, even states that had never depended on buying goods from abroad were feeling tariff tremors in their own way.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Symptoms can include problems with movement, tremors, stiffness and impaired balance and later difficulty walking, talking or completing simple tasks.—
Point Loma-Ob Monthly,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The mind shudders at the thought.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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So one shudders to think what might happen when the Dolphins now face a murderer’s row of elite running backs and mobile quarterbacks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This element is special as its nucleus vibrates at a very low energy level.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Basically, how fast a sound source vibrates.—
Laura Kiniry,
Popular Science,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Risk factors for cardiac arrest A frequent trigger is rhythm disturbance—especially ventricular fibrillation—in which the heart quivers instead of beating effectively.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The music of home often quivers with nostalgia.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quakes. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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