shudder

[ shuhd-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to tremble with a sudden convulsive movement, as from horror, fear, or cold.

   Synonyms: quiver

noun

1. a convulsive movement of the body, as from horror, fear, or cold.

shudder

/ ˈʃʌdə /

verb

1. intr to shake or tremble suddenly and violently, as from horror, fear, aversion, etc

noun

1. the act of shuddering; convulsive shiver

Derived Forms

• ˈshudderingly, adverb
• ˈshuddering, adjective
• ˈshuddery, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shudder¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English shodderen (verb) (cognate with German schaudern, from Low German ), frequentative of Old English scūdan “to tremble”; -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of shudder¹

C18: from Middle Low German schōderen; related to Old Frisian skedda to shake, Old High German skutten to shake

Synonym Study

See shiver ¹.

Example Sentences

As reports of the meeting emerged the next day, they sent a shudder through luxury investors.

From Quartz

Such a find would send shudders through the K-theory community, since it would contradict some of the subject’s central conjectures.

From Quanta Magazine

The shudder of the fighting could be felt 16 kilometers away.

From The Daily Beast

Would this perhaps lead to more black people—shudder—voting Republican?

From The Daily Beast

And then, like Maureen, I felt “a scary shudder go through my body and brain.”

From The Daily Beast

“If history is a guide, those complicit bishops should shudder,” said Clohessy.

From The Daily Beast

(shudder) He should be stopped, even though it may be too late.

From The Daily Beast

I cried, and shrank involuntarily, for his eyeballs rolled till only the whites showed in a way that made me shudder.

From Project Gutenberg

She sat down and recalled the conversation with her new friend, giving an amused little shudder.

From Project Gutenberg

Though used to this terrible picture from a child, Dorothy could never look at it without a shudder.

From Project Gutenberg

A shudder ran down his spine; there was a sensation of inner cold against his heart; he trembled, but he could not look away.

From Project Gutenberg

But the shudder had established itself in his being, and, whether he would or not, it kept repeating itself.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gyrate
• shiver
• tremble