shake-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈshāk-ˌəp 

: an act or instance of shaking up

specifically : an extensive and often drastic reorganization

shake up

2 of 2

verb

shook up; shaken up; shaking up; shakes up

transitive verb

1

obsolete : chide, scold

2

: to jar by or as if by a physical shock

the collision shook up both drivers

3

: to effect an extensive and often drastic reorganization of

Synonyms of shake-up

Verb

• shock
• appall
• stun

Examples of shake-up in a Sentence

Verb

the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Despite the recent shake-up, Zelenskyy tried to present a unified front in his Telegram message Tuesday announcing the dismissal of Syrskyi. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 21 July 2026

Trades, offer sheets, front office shake-ups, top-10 draft pick movement and more. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Verb

Schmitt was visibly shaken up and could be seen rubbing his left knee in discomfort. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

While down-the-line voting has often scored huge, the 2026 Emmys may shake up the usual tradition. — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shake-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

shake-up

1 of 2 noun

ˈshā-ˌkəp

: an act or instance of shaking up

especially : a reorganization that has extreme effects

lost their jobs in an office shake-up

shake up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)shā-ˈkəp

1

: to jar by or as if by a physical shock

the accident shook up both drivers

the news shook us up

2

: to bring about an extensive reorganization of