Verbs for Repetitive and Slight Movements · Verbs: Movement

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

"The table wobbles on uneven legs."

"The toddler took his first few steps but his legs began to wobble and he fell down softly onto the carpet without hurting himself."

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

"The baby wiggles his tiny toes."

"The little boy could not stop wiggling his loose tooth with his tongue hoping it would fall out soon."

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

"The boy squirmed during the long lecture."

"The little boy began to squirm uncomfortably in his chair when his mother tried to cut his hair with a pair of dull scissors."

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

"The dog wags its tail happily."

"The happy dog wagged its tail vigorously when its owner returned home from a long day at work."

to move with small, quick, and irregular motions

"Jiggle the handle to fix it."

"She jiggled the door handle several times before realizing that the door was locked and she did not have the key."

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

"She trembled with fear and cold."

"Her hands began to tremble with fear as she walked alone through the dark and empty parking garage."

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

"The building shuddered during the earthquake."

"The old house shuddered as the powerful storm winds battered its walls and roof."

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

"Her lips quiver with suppressed emotion."

"The dog's lower lip began to quiver when it heard its owner yelling angrily about the torn pillow."

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

"The ground tremors during the earthquake."

"The ground began to tremor slightly before the full force of the earthquake was felt throughout the entire city."

to move abruptly in a short, sudden manner

"The train jerks forward suddenly."

"The bus suddenly jerked forward causing several standing passengers to lose their balance and almost fall down."

to make a sudden, brief, and involuntary movement

"His eye began to twitch nervously."

"The nervous student's eyelid would twitch uncontrollably whenever the teacher asked him a difficult question."

to exhibit a rhythmic, regular expansion and contraction

"The lights pulse in rhythmic patterns."

"The lights began to pulse in time with the loud music creating a dramatic effect at the concert."

to gently move from one side to another

"Waves rock the boat back and forth."

"The mother gently rocked the baby to sleep while singing a soft lullaby in the dark room."

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

"He will reel from the blow."

"After the unexpected punch, the boxer began to reel, struggling to stay upright."

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

"The children swing on the playground."

"The little girl loved to swing back and forth on the old wooden swing set behind her grandparent's house."

to slowly move back and forth or from side to side

"The trees sway in the wind."

"The tall trees began to sway violently in the strong wind as the storm approached the coastline."

to move back and forth repeatedly between two points or positions

"The light will oscillate."

"The pendulum will oscillate back and forth with a steady, predictable rhythm."

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

"He will shake with fear."

"The small child began to shake uncontrollably when he heard the thunder."

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

"Her voice will waver."

"During the emotional speech, her voice began to waver as she struggled to hold back tears."

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

"The heavy rock will not budge."

"The heavy rock would not budge even when three people pushed against it with all of their strength."