as in earthquakes
a shaking of the earth
the quake registered 6.5 on the Richter scale, causing widespread damage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in shakes
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
the horror film was so scary it left us quaking with fear for hours afterwards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of quakes
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
According to an unofficial and widely circulated online list, some 38,500 people were still unaccounted for, down from nearly 60,000 in the days immediately after the quakes.
—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
The powerful twin quakes struck the northern state of La Guaira on June 24, and killed more than 2,295 people, according to the latest government figures.
—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Hernan Alberto Gil, 44, a guard at the Galerias Playa Grande shopping center, was rescued on July 2 after being trapped about 30 feet underground since the quakes on June 24.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Yesterday, the number of people killed by the quakes reached 2,295, and more than 11,200 people were injured, said Jorge Rodríguez, the president of Venezuela's National Assembly.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 July 2026
And six days after the quakes, rescuers brought out a toddler alive—a reminder that hope in these operations is not a sentiment but a procedure, sustained one careful excavation at a time.
—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
In the crucial first 24 hours following the quakes, the government response was practically nonexistent.
—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has confirmed that at least 164 people were killed and more than 100 aftershocks were felt after the twin quakes that hit Venezuela.
—
Will Clark,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Noun
Rodríguez said authorities have recorded 862 aftershocks since the main quakes and confirmed that 189 buildings collapsed completely nationwide, the vast majority in La Guaira, the coastal state that suffered the worst destruction.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
According to an unofficial and widely circulated online list, some 38,500 people were still unaccounted for, down from nearly 60,000 in the days immediately after the quakes.
—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
3 July 2026
The powerful twin quakes struck the northern state of La Guaira on June 24, and killed more than 2,295 people, according to the latest government figures.
—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Hernan Alberto Gil, 44, a guard at the Galerias Playa Grande shopping center, was rescued on July 2 after being trapped about 30 feet underground since the quakes on June 24.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Yesterday, the number of people killed by the quakes reached 2,295, and more than 11,200 people were injured, said Jorge Rodríguez, the president of Venezuela's National Assembly.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
2 July 2026
And six days after the quakes, rescuers brought out a toddler alive—a reminder that hope in these operations is not a sentiment but a procedure, sustained one careful excavation at a time.
—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
In the crucial first 24 hours following the quakes, the government response was practically nonexistent.
—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has confirmed that at least 164 people were killed and more than 100 aftershocks were felt after the twin quakes that hit Venezuela.
—
Will Clark,
NBC news,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quakes
Noun
-
Alfonzo’s younger sister, Eliana, and stepmother, Patricia, have been missing since last month when earthquakes caused widespread devastation in his home country of Venezuela.
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It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year.
Verb
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The Korean switch-on diet combines low-carb meals, protein shakes, and intermittent fasting.
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Huel offers nutritionally complete protein shakes as meal replacements.
Noun
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Miami businesswoman Gisela Rojas was on vacation in Venezuela when the first tremors of two massive earthquakes hit the central and northern parts of the country last week.
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Choose Baits with Vibration Lipless crankbaits earn their keep each spring, as their shuddering motion creates the bait-mimicking tremors to which bass respond.
Verb
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The American flag has never been among those Davis shudders to make.
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Nothing much really happens in this movie after Philip’s initial arrest, but the world viscerally shudders under Lucy’s feet every time one of her husband’s alibis falls apart.
Verb
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In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.
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Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.
Verb
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Nevertheless, Bonnie’s doting parents hope that Lilypad will help Bonnie make friends, oblivious to how the gizmo — and soon, their daughter — vibrates with anxiety.
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The household hums with collective energy and vibrates with handiwork, intention, love.
Verb
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Risk factors for cardiac arrest A frequent trigger is rhythm disturbance—especially ventricular fibrillation—in which the heart quivers instead of beating effectively.
-
The music of home often quivers with nostalgia.
Cite this Entry
“Quakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quakes. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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