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

Verb

• shock
• appal
• 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

House Democrats also face a major wave of retirements and turnover for higher offices following the party’s major loss in 2024, which will lead to a shake-up in the makeup of both sides of the aisle in the House. —Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025

In a surprising shake-up, Boulos was actually assigned to escort Princess Kate during the official procession into the banquet. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025

Verb

Some of you may have felt a deep motivation to change your identity, embrace new horizons or shake up your life’s destiny. —Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025

Students still unlikely to vote, except for president But so far, Kirk’s death hasn’t shaken up this year's race for Virginia's governor. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025

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