shakier; shakiest
1
: characterized by shakes
shaky timber
2
a
: lacking stability : precarious
a shaky economy
performed well after a shaky start
b
: lacking in firmness (as of beliefs or principles)
c
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky experimental procedures
shaky data
3
a
: somewhat unsound in health
b
: characterized by shaking
4
: likely to give way or break down
Examples of shaky in a Sentence
She took a few shaky steps before she collapsed.
Her commitment to the cause seems shaky.
Their marriage is on shaky ground.
The team has performed better lately after getting off to a shaky start.
Recent Examples on the Web
But once again, Miami looks shaky at the position.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
This is far from the only time that the Truth Teller’s shaky standards are played for laughs.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
In his voiceover, McElwee frequently addresses Adrian and eulogizes his memory, but also expresses self-critical ruminations about his part in his son’s death, how his filmmaking may have contributed to his shaky self-image and the growing distance between them.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Higher yields reflect shaky investor confidence and mean the government must pay more to service its debt, piling more pressure on the Treasury.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
This is far from the only time that the Truth Teller’s shaky standards are played for laughs.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
In his voiceover, McElwee frequently addresses Adrian and eulogizes his memory, but also expresses self-critical ruminations about his part in his son’s death, how his filmmaking may have contributed to his shaky self-image and the growing distance between them.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Higher yields reflect shaky investor confidence and mean the government must pay more to service its debt, piling more pressure on the Treasury.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shaky
adjective
shakier; shakiest
1
a
: lacking firmness
b
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky data
2
: marked by shaking : trembling
3
: likely to give way or break down
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