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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of quakes
Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
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
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
Noun
By detecting more than 18,000 additional quakes, scientists were able to better understand what had occurred, and where, beneath São Jorge.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quakes
Noun
-
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,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a reception, held on Victory Day marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2025.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Protein shakes can be made with milk or water.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some patients on chlorpromazine developed mild tremors or tics.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The brothers Brian and Eddie Holland, along with Lamont Dozier, who died in 2022, made a crucial innovation to the songbook’s tremors.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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
-
Everytime one goes by, the car shudders.—
Leon Hale,
Houston Chronicle,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Every night the Dallas Stars host playoff games, the area in and around the American Airlines Center vibrates with activity, commerce and life.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, standing 43 inches tall, a silver speaker from Takahiro Miyashita’s brand TheSoloist vibrates high fidelity through the showroom.—
Samantha Lee
Connect
April 17,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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 30 Apr. 2026.
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