Synonyms of shake

shake 1 of 2

verb

ˈshāk 

1

as in to shudder

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

• shudder
• jerk
• vibrate
• tremble
• quiver
• shiver
• sway
• jiggle
• bucket
• wobble
• convulse
• agitate
• jolt
• twitch
• quake
• swing
• joggle
• jounce
• rock
• judder
• flicker
• wave
• throb
• flutter
• chatter
• thrill
• waver
• fluctuate
• pulse
• oscillate
• undulate
• pulsate
• palpitate
• quaver
• beat
• dodder
• pit-a-pat
• pitter-patter

2

as in to avoid

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

• avoid
• evade
• escape
• elude
• eschew
• shun
• deflect
• prevent
• scape
• dodge
• shuffle (out of)
• steer clear of
• keep clear of
• eliminate
• duck
• fight shy of
• get around
• shirk
• stay clear of
• weasel (out of)
• finesse
• miss
• avert
• exclude
• thwart
• circumvent
• preclude
• ward (off)
• obviate
• rule out
• parry
• divert
• ban
• debar
• except
• foil
• outwit
• bar
• frustrate
• bypass
• outsmart
• fox
• overreach
• skirt
• outfox

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• seek
• pursue
• welcome
• embrace
• catch
• incur
• court
• contract

shake

2 of 2

noun

1

as in minute

a very small space of time

I'll be there in two shakes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minute
• heartbeat
• second
• moment
• instant
• split second
• wink
• beat
• trice
• twinkle
• twinkling
• jiffy
• flash
• nanosecond
• New York minute
• jiff
• snatch
• eyeblink
• microsecond
• spurt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• age
• forever
• eternity
• lifetime
• infinity
• eon

2

as in shivers

shakes plural a sense of panic or extreme nervousness

I get the shakes every time I hear her voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shivers
• nerves
• butterflies
• jitters
• willies
• creeps
• heebie-jeebies
• hysteria
• dither
• anxiety
• fear
• screaming meemies
• cold sweat
• goose bumps
• jimjams
• whim-whams
• fidgets
• nervous breakdown
• agitation
• frazzle
• uneasiness
• jumpiness
• skittishness
• edginess

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• composure
• equanimity
• tranquility
• aplomb
• self-possession
• imperturbability

3

as in quake

a shaking of the earth

the shake was a modest 3.1 on the Richter scale

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quake
• earthquake
• tremor
• shock
• temblor
• convulsion
• upheaval
• aftershock
• foreshock
• cataclysm
• seaquake
• microseism
• microearthquake

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shake different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shake are agitate, convulse, and rock. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

When could agitate be used to replace shake?

The words agitate and shake can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When can convulse be used instead of shake?

The words convulse and shake are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

When might rock be a better fit than shake?

In some situations, the words rock and shake are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shake

Verb

Future uses for the approach include any number of stronger, lighter structures and materials needing protection from vibration and shaking. — New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026

DeStefano kicked into a quasi-rock groove on acoustic guitar, and the guys launched into a chorus about shaking off uncontrollable hassles and restoring positivity. — Tom Roland, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Biographers and historians have documented that Stewart suffered from severe psychological trauma, which caused digestive issues, insomnia, nightmares, shakes and sweats. — Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Just give it a shake or stir before adding it to your coffee, sauce, or stew. — Alyse Whitney, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing shake

• fair shake
• shake a leg
• shake down
• shake out
• shake up