MEANING
To undergo a brief, pronounced involuntary shaking, often from fear, disgust, or cold.
Use it for
a bodily wave of apprehension; disturbing recollectionGive a thought an immediate physical consequence.
Words that belong together
- shudder at the thought
- shudder with fear
- shudder involuntarily
On the page
She shuddered at the thought of the locked room.
The remembered scrape of the blade made him shudder.
He shuddered once, then forced himself to inspect the broken latch.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- shudder / shudders
- Past tense
- shuddered
- Past participle
- shuddered
- Present participle
- shuddering
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- shudder / shudders
- Present continuous
- am/is/are shuddering
- Present perfect
- have/has shuddered
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been shuddering
- Past
- shuddered
- Past continuous
- was/were shuddering
- Past perfect
- had shuddered
- Past perfect continuous
- had been shuddering
- Future
- will shudder / shudders
- Future continuous
- will be shuddering
- Future perfect
- will have shuddered
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been shuddering
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
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Usage notes
Primary category: fear. Usually a wave or convulsive movement, unlike sustained trembling; it can also be mechanical. Identify whether fear or revulsion drives it. Verb forms (base, third-person singular, past, past participle, -ing): shudder, shudders, shuddered, shuddered, shuddering.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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