shudder
8 synonyms for shudder, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To shake briefly, usually from fear, cold, or disgust.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To shake briefly, usually from fear, cold, or disgust.
“She shuddered at the thought of spiders in the room.”
How to use shudder
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
shudder with fear
a shudder ran through
shudder to think
Etymology
From Middle English schoderen, related to Dutch and German words meaning "to shake."
Full origin of shudder →Frequently asked questions
What does “shudder” mean?
The word “shudder” means to shake briefly, usually from fear, cold, or disgust. In plain terms, a quick, involuntary shiver, usually triggered by fear, cold, or something unpleasant.
How do you pronounce “shudder”?
“Shudder” is pronounced SHUH-duh (/ˈʃʌdəː/ in IPA).
How do you use “shudder” in a sentence?
Here is “shudder” used in a sentence: “She shuddered at the thought of spiders in the room.”
What part of speech is “shudder”?
Depending on how it is used, “shudder” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “shudder” come from?
The word “shudder” comes from Middle English. From Middle English schoderen, related to Dutch and German words meaning "to shake.".
How many meanings does “shudder” have?
“Shudder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shake briefly, usually from fear, cold, or disgust.
