shudder

American  

[shuhd-er] / ˈʃʌd ər /

verb (used without object)

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

   Synonyms:

   quiver

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noun

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

shudder British  

/ ˈʃʌdə /

verb

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

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noun

1. the act of shuddering; convulsive shiver

Related Words

See shiver ¹.

Other Word Forms

• shuddering adjective
• shudderingly adverb
• shuddery adjective

Etymology

Origin of shudder

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

Example Sentences

A 1970s-style outcome, or anything close to it, would have been enough to make anyone shudder — but especially retirees and others living on fixed or semi-fixed incomes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

We shudder to think what the reaction would be in Washington if the battle of Tarawa were fought again today.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

On my second watch, I was shocked by how much of “One Battle After Another” already felt tattooed on my brain, down to the shudder I got from Sean Penn’s loathsome Col.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

Home Office Minister Mike Tapp said the PM continues to have "confidence in Mandelson" and his abilities as ambassador, adding the "disturbing" emails made him "shudder".

From BBC • Sep. 11, 2025

Then—I still shudder to remember it—a desperate, pleading note crept into his voice.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• gyrate
• shiver
• tremble