as in shivers
an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold
a shudder ran through him as he stepped outside into the snow
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in shakes
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
huddled in the basement, we shuddered with fear as we heard the approaching tornado
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shudders
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
So, too, is the film’s music, composer Anthony Willis and soundtrack artist Charli XCX entwining raspy strings with grimy, ominous shudders.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But as the season progressed, the [shudders] discourse really went off the rails.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
And my list has become … shudders … out of date.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
So one shudders to think what might happen when the Dolphins now face a murderer’s row of elite running backs and mobile quarterbacks.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Last week, Brent crude oil prices reached over $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, peaking at nearly $120 per barrel on Monday, sending shudders throughout the economy.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
So, too, is the film’s music, composer Anthony Willis and soundtrack artist Charli XCX entwining raspy strings with grimy, ominous shudders.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But as the season progressed, the [shudders] discourse really went off the rails.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
And my list has become … shudders … out of date.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
The mind shudders at the thought.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
So one shudders to think what might happen when the Dolphins now face a murderer’s row of elite running backs and mobile quarterbacks.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shudders
Noun
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And some shivers, because that title isn’t a misdirect.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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From Monday to Friday, the reception area will serve as a nutrition center for athletes, offering smoothies, protein shakes, granola and anything else an athlete could need.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
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The company, founded in 1980, is best known for its meal replacements, protein shakes, nutritional teas and vitamins.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
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Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Basically, how fast a sound source vibrates.—
Laura Kiniry,
Popular Science,
25 Mar. 2026
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There's real grit underneath the shag haircut and thigh-high boots, though; see the discotheque scene, where her entire body vibrates with a desperate mix of hope, terror, and determination.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The music of home often quivers with nostalgia.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
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There’s a breathless mood in the air that quivers and quakes at the protests to come.—
Sara Stridsberg
September 15,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shudders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shudders. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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