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
Synonyms
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
Despite not having a consistent passing attack and having a shaky offensive line, the Oakland powerhouse was still somehow a few plays away from making a sixth consecutive state championship game.
—
Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
Only a few realized that in the long run, occupying the Palestinian territories would put Israel’s Jewish majority and its shaky democracy in jeopardy.
—Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
In the clip above, viewers can see the brothers cautiously entering the rickety old cabin in the woods, knocking down shaky walls, and dealing with unexpected problems like dangerous black mold.
—Sonal Dutt, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Our investigation reveals just how fatally shaky that system was.
—Ben Hubbard, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
In reality, Rome’s public-transportation infrastructure is shaky.
—Nick Bowlin, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
As the 19-year-old moves toward manhood, his grandfather’s shaky guidance and trauma of his own father’s incarceration lead to more than a few cringe-worthy outbursts.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Like tectonic plates in the earthquake that punctuates that California-set chapter, Bonello’s narrative slips and slides, making the very premise on which the movie stands — along with the two main characters — shaky ground indeed.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Atos tossing and turning A slew of setbacks have led Atos to its shaky situation.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 10 Apr. 2024
Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
Only a few realized that in the long run, occupying the Palestinian territories would put Israel’s Jewish majority and its shaky democracy in jeopardy.
—Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
In the clip above, viewers can see the brothers cautiously entering the rickety old cabin in the woods, knocking down shaky walls, and dealing with unexpected problems like dangerous black mold.
—Sonal Dutt, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
Our investigation reveals just how fatally shaky that system was.
—Ben Hubbard, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
In reality, Rome’s public-transportation infrastructure is shaky.
—Nick Bowlin, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
As the 19-year-old moves toward manhood, his grandfather’s shaky guidance and trauma of his own father’s incarceration lead to more than a few cringe-worthy outbursts.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Like tectonic plates in the earthquake that punctuates that California-set chapter, Bonello’s narrative slips and slides, making the very premise on which the movie stands — along with the two main characters — shaky ground indeed.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Atos tossing and turning A slew of setbacks have led Atos to its shaky situation.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shaky.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
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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