tremulous
Like aspen leaves
Tremulous means trembling or quivering, whether from physical weakness, fear, or emotional intensity.
A tremulous voice wavers with nervousness or age.
A tremulous hand shakes while reaching for something.
The word carries a delicate, almost fragile quality—less violent than shaking, more sustained than a single tremor: She gave a tremulous smile.
Shaking slightly and rapidly
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- shudderingConvulsive trembling motion
- shiveringInvoluntary bodily trembling
- quakyInclined to shake
palpitating · shaky · twitching · fluttering · wavering · vibrating · wobbly · unsteady
Troubled by uncertainty
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- timorousShowing nervous apprehension
timid · fearful · scared · alarmed · trepidatious · jittery · spooked · skittish
Shaking in tone
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- shakyTrembling or unstable
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- breathyHaving audible exhalation
reedy · thin · weak · cracking · unsteady · broken · wobbly · halting
Slow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- irresoluteLacking firmness of purpose
vacillating · indecisive · unsure · doubtful · ambivalent · halting · unsteady · flickering
quivering
Shaking slightly and rapidly
- tremblingInvoluntary shaking motion
- shudderingConvulsive trembling motion
- shiveringInvoluntary bodily trembling
quaky · palpitating · shaky · twitching · fluttering · wavering · vibrating · wobbly · unsteady · faltering
anxious
Troubled by uncertainty
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
timorous · timid · fearful · scared · alarmed · trepidatious · jittery · spooked · skittish · panicky
quavering
Shaking in tone
breathy · reedy · thin · weak · cracking · unsteady · broken · wobbly · halting · feeble
hesitant
Slow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
irresolute · vacillating · indecisive · unsure · doubtful · ambivalent · halting · unsteady · flickering · quavering
fragile
Easily broken or damaged
- gossamerFilmy, delicate material
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
wispy · feathery · gauzy · filmy · tenuous · dainty · airy · sheer · fluttering · quivering
tremuloussteady
Fixed, not fluctuating
stable · still · firm · unwavering · motionless