Thesaurus results for QUAKES

quakes 1 of 2

noun

plural of quake

as in earthquakes

a shaking of the earth the quake registered 6.5 on the Richter scale, causing widespread damage

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quakes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of quake

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

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 quakes

Noun

But the quakes also exposed a sense of solidarity, as neighbors were forced to rely on one another in the immediate aftermath. — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 The quakes hit as La Guaira was marking the feast of San Juan, an annual celebration featuring the ritual beating of drums. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 In western South America, quakes often strike when one plate — in this case the Nazca Plate in the Pacific — sinks beneath the South American Plate, in a process known as subduction, Ortiz told CNN’s Rafael Romo. — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 Unlike today’s earthquake in Colombia, Venezuela’s June quakes occurred on two different fault systems at depths of less than 15 miles (around 24 km). — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026 The earthquakes left many in the Andean nation unnerved after two back-to-back quakes devastated neighboring Venezuela in late June, destroying hundreds of buildings and killing more than 6,300 people. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 The back-to-back quakes that shook Venezuela in June and left more than 6,000 people dead each had a magnitude above 7. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 The San Andreas fault northwest of the Cajon Pass usually has big quakes every 100 to 150 years, Scharer said, though intervals of about 200 years are not unheard of. — Rong-Gong Lin Ii Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026 Two powerful quakes in April 2016 killed more than 260 people and destroyed thousands of homes. — USA Today, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quakes

Noun

After the earthquakes, American Airlines transported relief supplies to Venezuela on a Boeing 737.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Critics say nuclear energy is too expensive and still faces risks from natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of earthquakes

Verb

And the reduced flow of goods through one of the world’s most consequential shipping lanes could create a ripple effect that shakes the world’s economy.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026
Miami likely will hold off on signing a 15th player to a standard contract, at least for now, in order to see who shakes free in the buyout market.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shakes

Verb

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.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026

Definition of jerks

Verb

Every time my phone vibrates with a new text from him and my screen lights up with his name, a shot of serotonin goes straight to my heart.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
This painstakingly restored 4K version looks and sounds gorgeous; cinematographer Dante Spinotti’s work glows with saturated vibrancy, and Michel Rubini and the Reds’ score vibrates on a spooky synth frequency.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026

Definition of vibrates

Verb

Even now, there are moments during presentations when my voice still quivers.

— Michelle De Almeida, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Risk factors for cardiac arrest A frequent trigger is rhythm disturbance—especially ventricular fibrillation—in which the heart quivers instead of beating effectively.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026

Definition of quivers

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“Quakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quakes. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of quakes

noun

verb

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