shakeout

1 of 2

noun

shake·​out ˈshāk-ˌau̇t 

1

: the failure or retrenchment of a significant number of firms in the economy or a sector or an industry that usually results in a depressed market

2

: a period or process in which the relatively weak or unessential are eliminated

shake out

2 of 2

verb

shook out; shaken out; shaking out; shakes out

intransitive verb

: to prove to be in the end : turn out

wait to see how things shake out

Synonyms

Verb

• come out
• fall out
• pan out
• prove
• turn out

Examples of shakeout in a Sentence

Verb

after hearing about all the elaborate planning, I can't wait to see how that wedding shakes out

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That said, the large-cap benchmarks are looking moderately overbought technically — not a bearish condition necessarily, but one that can lead to chop and churn, fatigue and shakeouts over the next little while. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 June 2025

The Solyndra bankruptcy and the ongoing solar shakeout naturally shadowed the proceedings. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 Apr. 2012

Verb

Life Kit breaks down the guidance with a comic: ➡️ Calm your body by shaking out your hands to release tension, unclenching and relaxing your jaw, and breathing slowly and steadily to lower your anxiety levels. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 June 2025

Pricing may eventually shift though, depending how tariffs shake out. —Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1982, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shakeout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout