SHAKING Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

shaking 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of shaking next

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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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

Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. —

Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026 Moderate shaking impacted 19,000 people near the temblor’s epicenter. —

Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026

Verb

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 But Bergeron was there every time his team needed a big stop, leaving the Vikings (15-7-2) shaking their heads many times. —

Matt Roy, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026 Hurley argued the lack of a foul call and was whistled for two technical fouls before heading to the locker room while shaking his head. —

ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026 No need to stir, shaking will mix everything just fine. —

Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2026 Witnesses described the Israeli airstrikes as particularly intense, shaking homes in the area. —

Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026 Is Coming for Dunkin’ New England is shaking right now. —

Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026 Young, shaking off rust after two months without playing in a game and fueled by the excitement of fans inside Capital One Arena, made his first game with the Wizards a memorable one. —

Josh Robbins, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 Turn to utilities as a way to play the artificial intelligence trend while protecting against the rising geopolitical risks that are shaking the market, Wells Fargo analysts said. —

Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaking

Noun

Its strength ranges from mild, causing little more discomfort than a slight trembling, to severe, in which passengers or flight crew can be thrown around the cabin and risk injury if not wearing seatbelts.

— Cat Rainsford, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2026
There’s Walter’s serene cello and Marjorie’s pensive, slightly coy violin, sometimes playful or petulant or, still, a little vain and secretive — other times thin and trembling, lost in the haze of dementia.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025