Shiver vs. Thrill — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 24, 2023
Shiver is a reflexive, involuntary action often due to cold or fear, causing one to tremble, whereas Thrill denotes intense excitement or pleasure.
Difference Between Shiver and Thrill
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Key Differences
Shiver and Thrill hold markedly different connotations and arise in divergent contexts. Shiver is predominantly associated with a physical, involuntary reaction, typically resulting from cold, fear, or anxiety. It is a response that is reflexive and uncontrollable, indicative of discomfort or distress. It paints a picture of a person quaking, perhaps teeth chattering, due to exposure to freezing temperatures or a frightening situation. Thrill, conversely, is largely associated with a positive, exhilarating emotion stemming from excitement, pleasure, or anticipation. It represents a heightened state of emotion, a rush of adrenaline often related to exhilarating experiences, exciting discoveries, or anticipation of pleasurable events.
While Shiver essentially represents a physiological response, a ripple of tremors coursing through the body, Thrill connotes a psychological state, a rush of exhilaration or euphoria. A shiver can run down one's spine in the face of a chilling breeze or a spooky tale, a visible manifestation of the body's reaction to external stimuli. A thrill, however, is a pulse of excitement, a flutter in the chest at the prospect of adventure or the sight of a loved one, a symbol of joy, anticipation, or exhilaration.
Shiver often portrays a state of vulnerability, a visible sign of the body's struggle against the elements or its reaction to fear, symbolizing weakness or distress. Thrill, however, depicts strength, courage, or zest for life, highlighting one's ability to embrace and enjoy intense experiences, portraying a robust and vigorous spirit. The connotations of shiver are largely negative, linked to discomfort and unease, while those of thrill are overwhelmingly positive, associated with enjoyment and zest.
The context of use for Shiver is often situations characterized by cold or fear, providing a descriptive glimpse into one's physiological state. In contrast, Thrill is employed to describe intense emotions, offering insight into one's psychological state in moments of extreme joy or excitement. The shiver may denote a struggle, a fight against the cold or fear, emphasizing the human body's reactionary nature, while thrill symbolizes embrace, a welcome surge of intense emotions, illustrating the human spirit’s ability to savor life’s highs.
In conclusion, Shiver, indicative of physical reflex and discomfort, and Thrill, representative of emotional intensity and pleasure, delineate the spectrum of human experience from discomfort and vulnerability to joy and exhilaration, demonstrating the richness of human sensation and emotion.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An involuntary response causing one to tremble.
Intense excitement or pleasure.
Part of Speech
Noun (can also be a Verb)
Noun (can also be a Verb)
Contextual Usage
Cold, fear, anxiety.
Excitement, adventure, pleasure.
Connotative Nuance
Discomfort, distress, vulnerability.
Exhilaration, joy, anticipation.
Synonyms
Quiver, tremble, shake.
Excite, elate, exhilarate.
Compare with Definitions
Shiver
A reflexive trembling due to cold or fear.
She felt a shiver run down her spine as she heard the eerie noise.
Thrill
A sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure.
The thrill of victory was overwhelming.
Shiver
To shake or tremble with cold, fear, or excitement.
He couldn’t help but shiver in the freezing wind.
Thrill
To cause someone to feel sudden excitement or pleasure.
The performance thrilled the audience.
Shiver
A small shaking movement.
A shiver of the leaves announced the breeze.
Thrill
An intense, pleasurable feeling derived from an experience.
The thrill of the roller coaster left them screaming for more.
Shiver
To break into many small pieces.
The glass shivered into a thousand pieces.
Thrill
To cause to feel a sudden sensation of pleasure or delight; excite greatly
Was thrilled to learn that she had won the contest.
Shiver
To shake or tremble, as from cold or fear.
Thrill
To cause to quiver, tremble, or vibrate.
Shiver
To quiver or vibrate, as by the force of the wind.
Thrill
To feel a sudden sensation of pleasure or delight
"His answer came that afternoon and she thrilled to see the handwriting" (Susan Minot).
Shiver
To cause (a sail) to flutter by sailing too close to the wind.
Thrill
To quiver, tremble, or vibrate.
Shiver
To break into fragments or splinters; shatter.
Thrill
A sudden feeling of pleasure or excitement
It gave him a thrill to learn their secret.
Shiver
To cause to break suddenly into fragments or splinters.
Thrill
A source or cause of pleasure or excitement
The thrills of the amusement park.
Shiver
An instance of shivering or trembling.
Thrill
A quivering or trembling caused by sudden excitement or emotion.
Shiver
Shivers An attack of shivering. Used with the.
Thrill
(Medicine) A slight palpable vibration associated with a cardiac murmur and certain other cardiac or respiratory conditions.
Shiver
A fragment or splinter.
Thrill
(ergative) To suddenly excite someone, or to give someone great pleasure; to (figuratively) electrify; to experience such a sensation.
Shiver
To tremble or shake, especially when cold or frightened.
They stood outside for hours, shivering in the frosty air.
Thrill
(ergative) To (cause something to) tremble or quiver.
Shiver
To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to the wind.
Thrill
(obsolete) To perforate by a pointed instrument; to bore; to transfix; to drill.
Shiver
To break into splinters or fragments.
Thrill
(obsolete) To hurl; to throw; to cast.
Shiver
The act of shivering.
A shiver went up my spine.
Thrill
(machining) To drill and thread in one operation, using a tool bit that cuts the hole and the threads in one series of computer-controlled movements.
Shiver
(medicine) A bodily response to early hypothermia.Wp
Thrill
A trembling or quivering, especially one caused by emotion.
Shiver
A fragment or splinter, especially of glass or stone.
Thrill
A cause of sudden excitement; a kick.
Shiver
A thin slice; a shive.
Thrill
(medicine) A slight quivering of the heart that accompanies a cardiac murmur.
Shiver
(geology) A variety of blue slate.
Thrill
A breathing place or hole; a nostril, as of a bird.
Shiver
(nautical) A sheave or small wheel in a pulley.
Thrill
A warbling; a trill.
Shiver
A small wedge, as for fastening the bolt of a window shutter.
Thrill
A breathing place or hole; a nostril, as of a bird.
Shiver
A spindle.
Thrill
A drill. See 3d Drill, 1.
Shiver
Collective noun for a group of sharks
Thrill
A sensation as of being thrilled; a tremulous excitement; as, a thrill of horror; a thrill of joy.
Shiver
One of the small pieces, or splinters, into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence; - generally used in the plural.
Thrill
To perforate by a pointed instrument; to bore; to transfix; to drill.
He pierced through his chafed chestWith thrilling point of deadly iron brand.
Shiver
A thin slice; a shive.
Of your soft bread, not but a shiver.
Thrill
Hence, to affect, as if by something that pierces or pricks; to cause to have a shivering, throbbing, tingling, or exquisite sensation; to pierce; to penetrate.
To bathe in flery floods, or to resideIn thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice.
Vivid and picturesque turns of expression which thrill the eader with sudden delight.
The cruel word her tender heart so thrilled,That sudden cold did run through every vein.
Shiver
A variety of blue slate.
Thrill
To hurl; to throw; to cast.
I'll thrill my javelin.
Shiver
A sheave or small wheel in a pulley.
Thrill
To pierce, as something sharp; to penetrate; especially, to cause a tingling sensation that runs through the system with a slight shivering; as, a sharp sound thrills through the whole frame.
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins.
Shiver
A small wedge, as for fastening the bolt of a window shutter.
Thrill
To feel a sharp, shivering, tingling, or exquisite sensation, running through the body.
To seek sweet safety outIn vaults and prisons, and to thrill and shake.
Shiver
A spindle.
Thrill
The swift release of a store of affective force;
They got a great bang out of it
What a boot!
He got a quick rush from injecting heroin
He does it for kicks
Shiver
The act of shivering or trembling.
Thrill
An almost pleasurable sensation of fright;
A frisson of surprise shot through him
Shiver
To break into many small pieces, or splinters; to shatter; to dash to pieces by a blow; as, to shiver a glass goblet.
All the groundWith shivered armor strown.
Thrill
Something that thrills;
The thrills of space travel
Shiver
To separate suddenly into many small pieces or parts; to be shattered.
There shiver shafts upon shields thick.
The natural world, should gravity once cease, . . . would instantly shiver into millions of atoms.
Thrill
Cause to be thrilled by some perceptual input;
The men were thrilled by a loud whistle blow
Shiver
To tremble; to vibrate; to quiver; to shake, as from cold or fear.
Prometheus is laidOn icy Caucasus to shiver.
The man that shivered on the brink of sin,Thus steeled and hardened, ventures boldly in.
Thrill
Feel sudden intense sensation or emotion;
He was thrilled by the speed and the roar of the engine
Shiver
To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to the wind.
Thrill
Tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
Shiver
Reflex shaking caused by cold or fear or excitement
Thrill
Fill with sublime emotion; tickle pink (exhilarate is obsolete in this usage);
The children were thrilled at the prospect of going to the movies
He was inebriated by his phenomenal success
Shiver
An almost pleasurable sensation of fright;
A frisson of surprise shot through him
Thrill
A wave of excitement or exhilaration.
She felt a thrill at the sight of the ocean.
Shiver
Tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
Thrill
A vibrating or trembling sensation.
The thrill of his touch sent shivers down her spine.
Shiver
Shake, as from cold;
The children are shivering--turn on the heat!
Common Curiosities
Can Shiver be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, Shiver can be used as both a noun, referring to the act of shivering, and a verb, describing the action of trembling or quivering.
Can Thrill represent a surge of adrenaline?
Yes, Thrill often represents a surge of adrenaline, associated with heightened emotions and exhilaration.
Can Shiver be caused by excitement?
Yes, while shivers are often associated with cold or fear, they can also be caused by excitement or anticipation.
Is a Shiver primarily an involuntary action?
Yes, a Shiver is primarily an involuntary, reflexive action, often due to cold or fear.
Is Shiver indicative of discomfort or distress?
Yes, Shiver is often indicative of discomfort or distress, typically arising from cold or fear.
Can Thrill be experienced in adventurous situations?
Yes, Thrill is often experienced in adventurous or exhilarating situations, bringing a rush of excitement and joy.
Is Thrill indicative of one's psychological state in moments of excitement?
Yes, Thrill is indicative of one’s psychological state, offering insight into one's emotions in moments of extreme joy or excitement.
Can Shiver symbolize vulnerability and weakness?
Yes, Shiver often symbolizes vulnerability and weakness, portraying a visible sign of the body's struggle against discomfort.
Is Thrill synonymous with exhilaration and elation?
Yes, Thrill is often synonymous with exhilaration, elation, and intense joy or excitement.
Can Shiver reflect a physiological response to external stimuli?
Yes, Shiver typically reflects a physiological, involuntary response to external stimuli such as cold or fear.
What does Thrill primarily denote?
Thrill primarily denotes a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure, often from an experience.
Is Thrill associated with positive emotions?
Yes, Thrill is generally associated with positive emotions, representing intense excitement or pleasure.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
