as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in bunk
Related Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shakedown
Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
For the drivers, the sessions offer their first extended run-outs in the new cars, having only completed a short shakedown before Bahrain.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
The memo frames DSTs as nothing more than attempt by foreign governments to shake down American technology businesses.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
Verb
Edward Burke to only two years in prison for a series of shakedowns.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
For the drivers, the sessions offer their first extended run-outs in the new cars, having only completed a short shakedown before Bahrain.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
Before Clint enters a back-room poker game in the store where the enforcer needs to shake down one of the players, Hank runs down the top five underdog movies of all time.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
The memo frames DSTs as nothing more than attempt by foreign governments to shake down American technology businesses.
—Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shakedown
Verb
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Unlike the previous Final Destination Bloodlines films, however, death not only comes for the specific individuals who cheated death, but for generations of relatives in the survivors’ bloodlines.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
Call to police started over cheating feud According to the criminal complaints: The woman began fighting the day before the shooting because of Jones' infidelity.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors said Garcia was asleep in the lower bunk when Lopez got on top of him and started to strangle him.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
8 July 2025
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Should officials have evacuated the low-lying areas near the Guadalupe River—including the bunks at Camp Mystic—on the afternoon of July 3rd, when the Austin/San Antonio office of the N.W.S. issued a flood watch?—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, entrepreneurs who built empires from nothing learned their most valuable lessons through painful trial and error.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
In fact, Courtney says that finding the most suitable curling tool is all about trial and error.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
Noun
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In World War II, amphibious aircraft were used for reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, and anti-submarine warfare.—
Daniel Cote,
Robb Report,
9 July 2025
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The fire call came in at 1:21 p.m., and firefighters were conducting reconnaissance on the blaze when bullets began raining down at about 2 p.m., Norris told reporters.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Marlene alleged her son grabbed and started to squeeze her throat.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
11 July 2025
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Kalvin Phillips squeezes a pass through the gap and into Omari Hutchinson, taking three Forest players out of the game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Guests arrive down a pebbled driveway to a single-story bungalow, elegantly set back among hydrangeas, pitch pines, and red cedars, with a neat lawn and patio with sun loungers and hammock.—
Mary Holland,
Robb Report,
10 July 2025
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Amazon’s secret outlet has steep discounts on patio and garden upgrades, including charcoal grills and smokers, hammocks, outdoor seating, patio umbrellas, and other backyard must-haves.—
Emily Weaver,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
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Right now, the rocket is tailored toward test launches but there are plans for astronauts to be aboard in the future.—
Beck Andrew Salgado,
Austin American Statesman,
8 July 2025
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Almost 1,000 Amazon shoppers have put the product to the test, and 74% of them have given it a five-star rating.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
8 July 2025
Noun
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The death toll across the state eclipsed 100 by Tuesday, and search and rescue efforts persist.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
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The film’s plot is too complicated by half, as Mei’s search for her missing sister leads her to Marcello’s restaurant — not to be confused with the Forbidden City, where Yun apparently served as a prostitute.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shakedown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shakedown. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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