vibrate

verb

ˈvī-ˌbrāt How to pronounce vibrate (audio)
Definition of vibratenext
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the glasses and knickknacks on the shelves vibrated during the slight earthquake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vibrate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vibrate are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, swing, undulate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

When might fluctuate be a better fit than vibrate?

The words fluctuate and vibrate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

In what contexts can oscillate take the place of vibrate?

Although the words oscillate and vibrate have much in common, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When is it sensible to use sway instead of vibrate?

The synonyms sway and vibrate are sometimes interchangeable, but sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can swing be used instead of vibrate?

The meanings of swing and vibrate largely overlap; however, swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When is undulate a more appropriate choice than vibrate?

While in some cases nearly identical to vibrate, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

When would waver be a good substitute for vibrate?

While the synonyms waver and vibrate are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

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 vibrate Being able to connect with it… something vibrated within me. —Ayan Artan, Vogue, 2 May 2025 Teaching me how a microwave vibrates water molecules to heat my dinner is less helpful than telling me what buttons to press and which containers are microwave-safe. —Judd Kessler, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025 The green earth below the stone seems to vibrate with Dorian’s physical presence. —Jayson Greene, Vulture, 30 May 2025 The males climb up trees and produce their shrill songs en masse, using muscles to vibrate a rigid part of their exoskeletons called tymbals. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for vibrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vibrate
  1. shake
  2. jerk
  3. shudder
  4. tremble
  5. quiver
Verb
  • President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shook hands in Scotland on Sunday after agreeing on the framework for a trade deal between two of the world’s biggest economies.
    — Jade Walker, CNN Money, 28 July 2025
  • Accompanied by her brother-in-law, Sen. Edward Kennedy, the former first lady was seen at N.Y.C.'s 21 Club — shaking hands with other frequenters.
    — Alex Apatoff, People.com, 28 July 2025
Definition of shake
Verb
  • Having already had to navigate a 180-degree turn around a roundabout at 80km per hour, the road jerked to the left with around 1.6km remaining and, with some riders forced wide, the group was split.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • The passenger jerked forward and their belongings were thrown to the floor.
    — Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • All those sharp tool and drills are enough to make anyone shudder.
    — Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 9 July 2025
  • My father seemed to crumple a little, shuddering, grabbing the edge of his desk to steady himself.
    — Ottessa Moshfegh, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Definition of shudder
Verb
  • The word originally referred to trembling from fear or cold, and later came to describe earth tremors (as in earthquake).
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • The cobwebs under the jarrah tremble in the hot breeze; there are no beetles snagged in the webs today to rescue.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
Definition of tremble
Verb
  • Josh Allen’s Bills aren’t quivering in their boots after Miami’s five summer additions.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 July 2025
  • My thumb quivered on the button, yet received no command to push.
    — Alann B. Steen, Outdoor Life, 10 July 2025
Definition of quiver

Browse Nearby Words

vibrant
vibrate
vibrated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vibrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vibrate. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on vibrate

Nglish: Translation of vibrate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
iykyk if you know you know slang written in a neon
Quiz: Abbreviation Station TFW you have to figure out what 15 abbreviations ...
See All