SHAKING Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

shaking 1 of 3

adjective

as in trembling

marked by or given to small uncontrollable bodily movements suffered a shaking chill during his bout with the flu

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shaking

2 of 3

noun

as in twitching

a series of slight movements by a body back and forth or from side to side gave the bottle of salad dressing a good shaking

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as in escape

the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable condemned the government's shaking of its overseas responsibilities

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shaking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of shake

as in jerking

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the bus rattled and shook as it barreled down a rutted road

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as in avoiding

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery we shook our pursuers by cutting through the abandoned lot

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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 shaking

Noun

Despite the widespread shaking, the most extensive structural damage was reported in communities closer to the epicenter. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 With its silly oversized thumbs and frantic shaking needed to escape pins, this mini-game is one example of how a game like Nintendo Switch Sports Resort could make some older gamers feel self-conscious. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026 Light to moderate shaking was reported in the vicinity of the quake, with reports that the quake was felt as far east as Palmdale, as far west as Santa Barbara and as far south as Inglewood. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 What to do in an earthquake Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause structural collapses and landslides. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026 The cocktail offers a distinct texture thanks in part to a lengthy shaking process, often 12 minutes or more, which emulsifies the ingredients and creates a frothy head. — Kristin Braswell, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 Flight attendants reported intense shaking and seeing a small amount of smoke or fog in the cabin before oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 When the shaking stopped, the sample was removed and then readied for sequencing. — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026 The strongest shaking is concentrated around the epicenter northwest of Cali and extends toward the Pacific coast, while weaker shaking spreads toward Medellín, Bogotá and surrounding regions. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

There’s seat-shaking violence in how the whale breaches the surface and slams its weight back down (the crafty sound design is by James Miller) and body horror in its claustrophobic, spongy inner chambers. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Just below the broad smile he’s been wearing all morning, John Ternus’ hands are shaking. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Dropping two cylinders and losing almost three liters of displacement means there’s no option for shaking a garage on its foundations or setting off car alarms while waiting for a red light. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 Dredge the fish evenly, making sure all of it is covered in the flour, shaking off any excess. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 Warnings can arrive seconds before strong shaking, although people close to an earthquake’s epicenter may receive little or no advance notice. — Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Investors are digesting a range of concerns that are shaking sentiment around AI. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 Cook, shaking pot occasionally, until mussels open, 5–7 minutes (discard any that do not open). — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026 The brawl began when the players were shaking hands, just after Grayson defeated Carol City 10-9. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaking

Adjective

Stocks are near all-time highs, but the bond market looks much shakier and consumer confidence is decidedly sour even if people do keep spending.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
On offense, the Rays' lineup got to Messick in the fourth thanks to some shaky Cleveland defense.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of shaky

Noun

These circumstances, too, create a perception of the world as unpredictable and may lead people to seek escape via alcohol or other drugs.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
There’s relief in his escape but the path has left him feeling scorned, too.

— Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

And like any great sitcom, Friends runs the gamut from numbing brain-rot to tear-jerking sentimentality.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026
Even after a bailiff woke him up, Martin slumped over in his wheelchair, inside a courtroom bullpen, occasionally jerking and opening his eyes.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of jerking

Verb

In these situations, withdrawing into a literal or symbolic dark room—avoiding sources of stress and going to a safe place—can be adaptive in the short term.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Preserve local input while avoiding a patchwork of regulations, ensuring communities are protected and industry provides sufficient justification and incentives.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoiding

Adjective

Standing 10 yards in front of us on a corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue was a shivering elderly woman who looked lost.

— Richard Greenberg, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
What she’s produced is a searching, pointedly disorienting text, studded with passages of extreme beauty and generous humor, that wears whimsy like a shivering veil over consuming discomfort, even terror.

— Paul McAdory, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025

Definition of shivering

Noun

Unfortunately for the Wolverines, Carr's first drive of the game was a quick three-and-out that was almost entirely on the ground, save for one 3-yard pass.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
The Tigers were stopped for just one three-and-out but punted on seven of their 11 possessions.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026