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
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
These insects and arachnids might startle you or send shivers down your spine, but there's no need to worry about these bugs—not too much, anyway.
—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
21 May 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
Economic shivers give both the fits, and a pressured consumer has both well in the red so far this year.
—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
These insects and arachnids might startle you or send shivers down your spine, but there's no need to worry about these bugs—not too much, anyway.
—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
21 May 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
-
The tensions, which have sent a shudder across many American industries, have prompted Washington to seek new sources of rare earths.
-
Whoever ends up playing the America 250 or (shudder) Freedom 250 gigs, the Chicks are our pick for Band of the Sesquicentennial.
Noun
-
Everything that keeps the testicle alive and functional runs through the spermatic cord — arteries, veins, nerves and lymphatics, bundled together along with the vas deferens.
-
Magnesium helps your muscles and nerves calm down, and can also play a role in the development of melatonin.
Verb
-
Each time the leaves trembled, the sunlight filtering through them also wavered.
-
Logic, curated by decades of precedent, suggested the 22-year-old might tremble at the growl of the aggressive, experienced Wolves.
Verb
-
The result is uncommon room layouts like the tri-suite king room equipped with two twin-sized beds and a king bed split by a privacy divider that doubles as a playful art installation.
-
Cutright, who was not charged with murder, split from Devastating Pyrotechnics to form Blackstar Fireworks on the property in 2023.
Verb
-
Hernández said Rossi Ydrogo had just called his brother in Caracas 20 minutes before the earth started to shake.
-
In Venezuela, rescue teams have been racing against the clock to pull survivors from the rubble after two powerful earthquakes shook the northern state of La Guaira last Wednesday.
Verb
-
Mercury is a big network with an independent spirit, tearing down gatekeepers and giving a platform to the best indie shows.
-
That will take Major League Soccer tearing down all the walls.
Verb
-
Even now, there are moments during presentations when my voice still quivers.
-
Each time, brown leaves that had drifted from distant trees quivered and spun on the surface.
Verb
-
Perhaps most disturbingly, there’s a short sequence of a massive pink bunny vaporizing people with its laser eyes.
-
The new law also broadens the types of products dispensaries can sell, including gummies, edibles, and vaporized flower.
Cite this Entry
“Shiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shiver. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
