SHAKING Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

shaking 1 of 3

adjective

as in trembling

marked by or given to small uncontrollable bodily movements suffered a shaking chill during his bout with the flu

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shaking

2 of 3

noun

as in twitching

a series of slight movements by a body back and forth or from side to side gave the bottle of salad dressing a good shaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in escape

the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable condemned the government's shaking of its overseas responsibilities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shaking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of shake

as in jerking

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the bus rattled and shook as it barreled down a rutted road

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in avoiding

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery we shook our pursuers by cutting through the abandoned lot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of shaking

Noun

Despite the widespread shaking, the most extensive structural damage was reported in communities closer to the epicenter. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 With its silly oversized thumbs and frantic shaking needed to escape pins, this mini-game is one example of how a game like Nintendo Switch Sports Resort could make some older gamers feel self-conscious. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026 Light to moderate shaking was reported in the vicinity of the quake, with reports that the quake was felt as far east as Palmdale, as far west as Santa Barbara and as far south as Inglewood. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 What to do in an earthquake Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause structural collapses and landslides. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026 The cocktail offers a distinct texture thanks in part to a lengthy shaking process, often 12 minutes or more, which emulsifies the ingredients and creates a frothy head. — Kristin Braswell, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 Flight attendants reported intense shaking and seeing a small amount of smoke or fog in the cabin before oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 When the shaking stopped, the sample was removed and then readied for sequencing. — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026 The strongest shaking is concentrated around the epicenter northwest of Cali and extends toward the Pacific coast, while weaker shaking spreads toward Medellín, Bogotá and surrounding regions. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

Darren Gold, who is now board president, said Gonzales-Torres falsely accused him of shaking her, prompting a city investigation. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Traders woke up in a cheerful mood today, shaking off the riots in France and the rising price of oil. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 Flight controllers burst into applause and jumped to their feet, shaking hands and embracing. — ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026 The upshot of this is that George, who works the room in a sharp gray suit, a few tattoos peeking out, has plenty of opportunities to charismatically make things right, shaking hands and clasping shoulders and sending over lull-filling drinks. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 Just below the broad smile he’s been wearing all morning, John Ternus’ hands are shaking. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Dredge the fish evenly, making sure all of it is covered in the flour, shaking off any excess. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026 Warnings can arrive seconds before strong shaking, although people close to an earthquake’s epicenter may receive little or no advance notice. — Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Investors are digesting a range of concerns that are shaking sentiment around AI. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaking

Adjective

Despite the Cougars’ shaky start, with all that Pac-12 prestige, exposure and, importantly, financial income under both teams’ belts, does either have an inherent advantage over the conference’s newcomers?

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026
The Glee reboot should pepper the series with some fun cameos from beloved characters, many of whom got cast in the later shakier seasons, as well as some of the most fun guest stars.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shaky

Noun

Lisa lets a dolphin named Snorky escape from Marine World after seeing his trainers taunt him for the amusement of slack-jawed yokels.

— Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
Southwest Airlines will add 11 new nonstop international routes to its schedule beginning in November, giving travelers more options for their next tropical escape.

— Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

And like any great sitcom, Friends runs the gamut from numbing brain-rot to tear-jerking sentimentality.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026
Even after a bailiff woke him up, Martin slumped over in his wheelchair, inside a courtroom bullpen, occasionally jerking and opening his eyes.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of jerking

Verb

Kushner so far has participated little in the ceremony of the job, avoiding most receptions and ribbon cuttings.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Exercise, avoiding alcohol or even getting enough sleep aren’t the factors most connected to college students’ well-being.

— Roxanne Prichard, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoiding

Adjective

Standing 10 yards in front of us on a corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue was a shivering elderly woman who looked lost.

— Richard Greenberg, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
What she’s produced is a searching, pointedly disorienting text, studded with passages of extreme beauty and generous humor, that wears whimsy like a shivering veil over consuming discomfort, even terror.

— Paul McAdory, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025

Definition of shivering

Noun

The Falcons went three-and-out on their second drive, a series done in when a check-down throw on 2nd-and-7 to Robinson was unproductive and then the Falcons were penalized for having too many players in the huddle on third down.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Jackson Chourio and Bauers started the bottom half with singles and first baseman Jonathan Aranda allowed Contreras’ one-out foul pop to bounce out of his mitt near netting in front of the seats.

— Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026