Shudder

To shudder is to tremble or shake convulsively, usually as a result of fear, cold, revulsion, or a strong emotional response. It signifies a sudden and involuntary bodily reaction, often accompanied by goosebumps or a sense of unease. This involuntary movement can be a single tremor or a sustained shaking. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a similar reaction in a less physical sense, such as a shudder of anticipation or a shudder of disgust. The intensity of a shudder can vary from a slight tremor to a violent convulsion depending on the cause.

Shudder meaning with examples

• As the old house creaked in the wind, the girl felt a sudden shudder crawl down her spine, fueled by the unsettling shadows that danced across the walls and the eerie stories her grandmother had told. Her hands, clenching the smooth wood of the banister, trembled slightly with a cold that wasn't of the weather. A wave of dread washed over her as she imagined what lurked within the darkness of the upper floors.
• The cold wind, biting through his thin jacket, caused a physical shudder to run through the man. He pulled his collar higher, huddling against the biting gusts, hoping to find some shelter from the relentless weather. Each passing gust of wind sent another wave of shivers down his spine, and he could barely keep from chattering loudly in the harsh conditions of the mountain peak.
• Upon seeing the gruesome accident, the witness couldn't help but shudder. The imagery of the mangled metal and the cries of the injured filled her mind. Her stomach churned, and she felt a wave of nausea wash over her, as she was overcome by a strong feeling of horror at the scene. She instinctively turned away, needing a moment to regain control.
• The politician's proposed policy caused a collective shudder among the population. Many people had lived the past under the shadow of such policies, so his speech generated intense disapproval. People were worried about loss of freedoms, privacy, and the potential damage to their way of life. His words seemed to generate deep, underlying anxieties that had previously been buried under the surface of life.