quiver 1 of 2

noun

Definition of quivernext
as in shiver
an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold a quiver ran through the audience when the monster cornered the movie's hero

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quiver

2 of 2

verb

as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements aspen leaves quivering in the breeze

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 quiver
Noun
Up high, fresh laundry quivers in the breeze like bunting, pegged precariously to twine stretched taut between windows. — Esme Nicholson, NPR, 3 June 2026 Visually, the tunnel’s thick metal exterior quivers and soil shakes off it as each succeeding segment ignites. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 May 2026
Verb
Her papers quivered in her hand. — Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026 Located on the street level of the Harbor Boulevard complex, the new shop gives dessert-loving denizens another place to pick up the quivering treat. — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for quiver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quiver
  1. shiver
  2. shake
  3. shudder
  4. jerk
  5. tremble
  6. vibrate
Noun
  • Which should really send a shiver of age paralysis down every Millennial reader’s spine.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Speaking to Julia Cunningham on her eponymous podcast, Adams says the moment when Cecile realizes her half-sister is the serial killer (while her mom was a plain ol’ one-off manslaughterer) still gives her the shivers.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026
Definition of shiver
Verb
  • Beck didn’t participate in the book, but Riesman finds enough friends, family and associates to assemble a complex portrait of an artist who wants his audiences to see him as fashion-forward but has had a hard time shaking his past.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Thunderous applause may greet one documentary premiering at the Venice Film Festival, fitting for a story of athletes who shake the earth with every footfall.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shake
Noun
  • Sending a shudder or a soothing hand (totally depending on your POV and 401K) down the back of the media eco-system, take of the Steal A Brainrot crew and their MSK team is that nobody owns nuthin even with a few keystrokes and prompts.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Elsewhere, increasingly popular quadrupedal robot dogs deployed by the military and police have exhibited uncanny qualities that would make a Black Mirror writer shudder.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of shudder
Verb
  • Henry drove off and sped up to 45 mph before jerking the car.
    — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But in 1933, within a matter of days, they were jerked back into reality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of jerk
Noun
  • Be a good child, do what they’re told, be the best child, a tremble in their hands, say nothing, tensed for the knock on the door.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
  • Ultimately, the recent market trembles reveal less about the immediate dangers of AI and more about the precarious psychology of modern trading.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of tremble
Verb
  • During a mental-coaching session, Tibetan sound bowls vibrate softly across my abdomen.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Every time my phone vibrates with a new text from him and my screen lights up with his name, a shot of serotonin goes straight to my heart.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of vibrate

Browse Nearby Words

quitting
quiver
quivered
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Cite this Entry

“Quiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quiver. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on quiver

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quiver

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