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

Other Word Forms

• shuddery adjective
• shuddering adjective
• shudderingly adverb

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

Why tech evangelist Cathie Wood predicts a ‘shudder’ in markets next year.

Read more on MarketWatch

At some point next year, though, she warns, interest rates will reverse and that is going to prompt a “shudder throughout the market” and a reality check on AI valuations.

Read more on MarketWatch

But instead of taking momentum into those two big games against the tournament favourites, they have been jolted by a shuddering wake-up call.

Read more on BBC

“I hate thinking about all the magazines and newsweeklies and newspapers that have shuddered to a halt since I began working,” Orlean writes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Now I'm afraid of the river," he shuddered.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• gyrate 
• shiver 
• tremble