quake

1 of 2

verb

quaked; quaking

intransitive verb

1
: to shake or vibrate usually from shock or instability
2
: to tremble or shudder usually from cold or fear

quake

2 of 2

noun

: an instance of shaking or trembling (as of the earth or moon)
especially : earthquake

Examples of quake in a Sentence

Verb She was quaking with rage. The explosion made the whole house quake. Noun the quake registered 6.5 on the Richter scale, causing widespread damage
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
YouTubers making 36-hour videos and quaking newbies who have only ever played Zoo Tycoon are both starting the DLC in the dark. Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 17 June 2024 Trumpeters aren’t the only players who quake at the suggestion of interpreting a Michael Brecker piece, which is one reason why he’s tended to be overlooked as a composer despite his vaunted status as the most influential tenor saxophonist of his generation. Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
Millions of such quakes are estimated to occur each year. Enquirer Staff, The Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2024 But in New Jersey’s Tewksbury township—the epicenter of the magnitude 4.8 quake—residents barely felt any shaking at all. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quake 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English cwacian

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quake was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near quake

Cite this Entry

“Quake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quake. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

quake

1 of 2 verb
quaked; quaking
1
: to shake or vibrate usually from shock or lack of stability
2
: to tremble or shudder usually from cold or fear

quake

2 of 2 noun
: a shaking or trembling
especially : earthquake

More from Merriam-Webster on quake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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