as in nerves
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
looking down from the window ledge sent shivers up my spine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 shivers
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
For anyone with even a mild rodent aversion, that can trigger shivers of disgust.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 8 May 2026
Miller wrote the play long before the rise of artificial intelligence sent shivers through the American workforce.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
And some shivers, because that title isn’t a misdirect.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2026
Loznitsa’s methods are grim and exacting, but the effect is never monotonous; there are shivers of Hitchcockian suspense, plus a whispery cackle of satire that veers toward the Kafkaesque.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Algebra in between scenes… sends shivers down my spine!
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Their accounts gave me shivers of recognition—their experiences echoed my father’s stories.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
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
For anyone with even a mild rodent aversion, that can trigger shivers of disgust.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 8 May 2026
Miller wrote the play long before the rise of artificial intelligence sent shivers through the American workforce.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
And some shivers, because that title isn’t a misdirect.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Mar. 2026
Loznitsa’s methods are grim and exacting, but the effect is never monotonous; there are shivers of Hitchcockian suspense, plus a whispery cackle of satire that veers toward the Kafkaesque.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Algebra in between scenes… sends shivers down my spine!
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Their accounts gave me shivers of recognition—their experiences echoed my father’s stories.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shivers
Noun
-
The brain influences the body’s response to nerves as much as that of the mind.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Something about seeing the gentle flow of an expansive body of water immediately calms the nerves, sending your mind into a state of sweet stillness.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Jen Murphy is an award-winning journalist who splits her time between Colorado and Maui.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Albert Berdellans, who leads AI at Inveniam, the firm behind the NVNM Chain, splits the market in two.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Young people must understand clearly that violence destroys not only victims, but entire families and communities.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
-
But Bogan told the outlet those assurances fall short if construction bulldozes the critical turtle habitat, compromises the manmade earthen dam that holds the springs' pond, or destroys the mesquite thicket downstream where turtles shelter in winter.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
1 June 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
-
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
Verb
-
When another attack splinters the small town of Pikeville, Charlotte is the first witness on the scene.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
Endlessly switching between apps and online platforms splinters our attention and can lead to digital exhaustion, leaving us anxious, apathetic and unfocused.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 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
Verb
-
The four crewmembers reported seeing several impact flashes — flickers of light created when a meteoroid hits the lunar surface and vaporizes.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
-
One laser vaporizes a tiny portion of the rock’s surface to analyze its composition.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shivers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shivers. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
