Verbs of Movement - Verbs for Repetitive and Slight Movements

Here you will learn some English verbs referring to repetitive and slight movements such as "swing", "tremble", and "jerk".

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to rock [verb]

to gently move from one side to another

Ex: As the hammock swung between the trees , it rocked peacefully in the breeze .

to reel [verb]

to have trouble keeping one's balance and be at the risk of falling

Ex: As the ship encountered rough waves , passengers began to reel .

to swing [verb]

to move or make something move from one side to another while suspended

Ex:

to sway [verb]

to slowly move back and forth or from side to side

Ex: The dancer 's hips swayed sensuously to the rhythm of the music , captivating the audience .

to oscillate [verb]

to move back and forth repeatedly between two points or positions

Ex:

to wobble [verb]

to move with an unsteady, rocking, or swaying motion, often implying a lack of stability or balance

Ex: As the bicycle gained speed , the wheels began to wobble , causing the rider to struggle for control .

to wiggle [verb]

to move with small, quick, and back-and-forth motions, often in a playful or fidgety manner

Ex: The fish wiggled in the angler 's hands as he tried to remove the hook .

to squirm [verb]

to move in an uncomfortable or restless manner with twisting or contorted motions

Ex: During the tense meeting , he could n't control the urge to squirm in his seat .

to wag [verb]

to move repeatedly from side to side, often in a rhythmic or playful manner

Ex: The fox wagged its ears as it listened for the rustle of prey in the bushes .

to jiggle [verb]

to move with small, quick, and irregular motions

Ex: The bumpy road caused the car keys to jiggle in the ignition .

to shake [verb]

(of one's body) to involuntarily shake, as a response to fear or due to a particular condition

Ex: The unexpected encounter with the wild animal caused him to shake with adrenaline .

to tremble [verb]

to move or jerk quickly and involuntarily, often due to fear, excitement, or physical weakness

Ex:

to shudder [verb]

to tremble or shake involuntarily, often as a result of fear, cold, or excitement

Ex: The unexpected sight of the ghostly figure caused everyone to shudder involuntarily .

to quiver [verb]

to shake or tremble with a slight, rapid, and often involuntary motion

Ex: The small bird perched on the branch , its feathers quivering in the chilly breeze .

to waver [verb]

to move in a rhythmic or repetitive pattern that rises and falls

Ex: The flames of the campfire wavered , casting a warm glow on the surrounding trees .

to tremor [verb]

to make a slight shaking movement, often as a result of external factors such as wind, movement, or vibrations

Ex: Residents along the fault line felt their homes tremoring for several minutes during the seismic event .

to jerk [verb]

to move abruptly in a short, sudden manner

Ex: The fishing rod jerked in his hands as a fish tugged on the line .

to twitch [verb]

to make a sudden, brief, and involuntary movement

Ex: The speaker 's leg twitched nervously as they faced the large audience .

to pulse [verb]

to exhibit a rhythmic, regular expansion and contraction

Ex: The heart rate monitor displayed the patient 's vital signs , showing how their heart pulsed with each beat .

to budge [verb]

to shift or move a small amount, often reluctantly or with difficulty

Ex: The car was stuck in the mud and would n't budge despite the driver 's efforts .

Verbs of Movement
Verbs for Non-Human Movement	Verbs for Movement	Verbs for Movement Toward Something	Verbs for Movement Away from Something
Verbs for Movement in Place	Verbs for Repetitive and Slight Movements	Verbs for Movement with Separation	Verbs for Movement on Foot
Verbs for Rushed Movement	Verbs for Movement in Water	Verbs for Changes in Body Posture	Verbs for Movement Using Vehicles
Verbs for Change in Speed of Movement	Verbs for Travelling	Verbs for Navigation	Verbs for Transportation of Goods