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
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Aftershocks detected Subsequent quakes have been reported in the same area.
—William B. Davis, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The Petrolia-area quakes were very shallow, with preliminary depths of less than a mile below the seafloor.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 3 June 2026
And nobody has ever designed a reactor for the moon, a hostile volcanic desert subject to extreme temperature swings, frequent asteroid strikes and protracted quakes.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
For at least 30 years, the fault has been producing magnitude 6 earthquakes every five to six years in nearly identical locations, a rare pattern in earthquake science where most major quakes remain highly unpredictable.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
People may be noticing quakes that seem to fit this pattern and forgetting about the ones that don’t, Cal Poly Pomona said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026
Part of the problem is that many of the subtle land formations scientists need to study to uncover evidence of past quakes have already been built over.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 May 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
Noun
The quakes struck near the Mendocino Triple Junction, a highly seismic area where three tectonic plates meet.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Aftershocks detected Subsequent quakes have been reported in the same area.
—William B. Davis, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The Petrolia-area quakes were very shallow, with preliminary depths of less than a mile below the seafloor.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 3 June 2026
And nobody has ever designed a reactor for the moon, a hostile volcanic desert subject to extreme temperature swings, frequent asteroid strikes and protracted quakes.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
For at least 30 years, the fault has been producing magnitude 6 earthquakes every five to six years in nearly identical locations, a rare pattern in earthquake science where most major quakes remain highly unpredictable.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
People may be noticing quakes that seem to fit this pattern and forgetting about the ones that don’t, Cal Poly Pomona said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026
Part of the problem is that many of the subtle land formations scientists need to study to uncover evidence of past quakes have already been built over.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quakes
Noun
-
It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
The administration says the project is necessary to protect water deliveries for 27 million Californians and roughly 750,000 acres of farmland while improving reliability during earthquakes and extreme storm systems.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Beside her, the dog shakes itself, droplets flying from it, then fixes her with an appraising gaze.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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The Moon, planet of our emotions, lifts your 10th House of Career, while innovative Uranus shakes your 4th House of Home and Family.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago, a neurological disorder that damages brain cells, leading to symptoms like uncontrollable movements, tremors, and balance issues.—
Madeline Montgomery,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
In cats, the toxin can cause tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, incoordination and seizures.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Nothing much really happens in this movie after Philip’s initial arrest, but the world viscerally shudders under Lucy’s feet every time one of her husband’s alibis falls apart.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
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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
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
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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 7 Jun. 2026.
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