1
as in shudder
an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold
the prisoner experienced a sudden shiver when confronted with the sight of the dark basement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in butterflies
shivers plural
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
looking down from the window ledge sent shivers up my spine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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 shiver
Angela Haupt, Time, 8 May 2026
Moses had a slight shiver on his way to bring Pal O Mine to the winner’s circle for photos.
—Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
North Texas will continue to shiver Tuesday from the record-setting cold weather that arrived last weekend, though no winter precipitation is expected.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shiver
Noun
For anyone with even a mild rodent aversion, that can trigger shivers of disgust.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 8 May 2026
Moses had a slight shiver on his way to bring Pal O Mine to the winner’s circle for photos.
—Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Two days later, Amaya became violently ill, shivering with high temperatures and crying constantly.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
North Texas will continue to shiver Tuesday from the record-setting cold weather that arrived last weekend, though no winter precipitation is expected.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shiver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shiver
Noun
-
Perhaps there could even be a real shudder of self-disgust on these shores—a recognition that our national pursuit of material happiness has immiserated much of the rest of the world and is now devouring itself.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
The thriller about ambition, rivalry and human frailty, set in the ballet world, evoked visceral reactions — from adrenaline highs to pull-pinions-from-your-flesh shudders.—
Celia Wren,
Washington Post,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Aguirre hoped his team would shake off nerves following the emotional opener at Azteca Stadium and show more bite in its second game against South Korea, but his team didn’t have much power behind its attack during the game’s first 45 minutes.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Luckily, a couple Nightcaps veterans calmed my nerves.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Each time the leaves trembled, the sunlight filtering through them also wavered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Logic, curated by decades of precedent, suggested the 22-year-old might tremble at the growl of the aggressive, experienced Wolves.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
After a 1980s split with Fidel Castro cost him the Interior Ministry, Valdés returned to power in the 2000s, overseeing telecommunications, serving as vice president and helping recover Che Guevara’s remains.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
-
The delays were split nearly evenly, affecting 332 flights departing the Denver airport and 287 flights arriving, according to FlightAware.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Canada’s first-ever World Cup win was overshadowed yesterday when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg after a tackle that left teammates shaken and coach Jesse Marsch lamenting an injury that turned a night of celebration into one of anguish.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
-
In a major rupture, strong shaking could cause severe damage near the fault and in areas built on soft or water-saturated soils, which can amplify shaking.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The president's team also repaired fountains throughout the city, tore down the White House's East Wing to make way for a ballroom, attempted to close the Kennedy Center for renovations, and drew up plans for a gigantic triumphal arch across the river from the capital in Virginia.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
The properties sit across a cove from where Michael Jordan once tore down his own mansion (presumably to build a bigger one — as one does).—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Each time, brown leaves that had drifted from distant trees quivered and spun on the surface.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Her papers quivered in her hand.—
Tanya Babbar,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Temperatures on its dayside climb high enough to vaporize metals, while previous studies have suggested that iron may condense and fall as rain on the cooler nightside.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
16 June 2026
-
That trail of vaporizing particles breaking off the asteroid causes a bright streak of light across the sky called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star.—
Adam Lark,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shiver. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
