shake down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake downnext
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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shakedown

2 of 2

noun

1
as in bunk

Related Words
2
as in test

Related Words
3
as in reconnaissance

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shake down
Verb
Will the agency adopt the model of personal injury attorneys and serial plaintiffs who have abused the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Unruh Civil Rights Act to shake down unsuspecting business owners for purely technical violations of the law? — Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 The city hired a second firm to represent Watts, as the city was legally responsible for covering legal judgments against him despite his federal prison sentence for shaking down a drug courier. — Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
Notably, these shakedown attempts come more than 15 years after Michael’s death, thus carrying no risk of being sued for defamation. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026 Previous versions of the script depicted the case against the singer as being a shakedown, according to The New York Times. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
  1. cheat
  2. bunk
  3. test
  4. reconnaissance
  5. squeeze
  6. hammock
  7. rehearsal
  8. search
Verb
  • The rumors of cheating with addresses and recruiting players have run rampant, but many schools do it.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026
  • The story of a cheating husband's double life racked up more than 23 million views in its first month, reaching the top ten in 62 countries, including the US, and the number one spot in almost two dozen countries.
    — Kate Bartlett, NPR, 24 July 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • The lower level also includes a separate heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, three guest suites, and a bunk suite sleeping four.
    — Joe Marusak July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • Air New Zealand is offering bunk rentals on its longest flight from New York to Auckland.
    — Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026
Definition of bunk
Noun
  • The agent, which was powered by some of OpenAI’s most advanced models, ran amok during a security test.
    — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 22 July 2026
  • This great, once improbable, step into the unknown has the potential to bring tests against Milan, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, and nights like never before at the Stadium of Light.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of test
Noun
  • These drones could perform tasks such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, decoy operations, or missile strikes while remaining under the supervision of the F-47 pilot.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
  • Ukrainian reconnaissance drones detected the advancing force and directed a rapid response.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of reconnaissance
Verb
  • Yet despite their clear burnout, most can’t afford to simply quit; not with the cost of living squeezing every paycheck, AI already closing in on entry-level roles, and one of the toughest job markets in years waiting on the other side.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • As a result, in 2015-16, regulators delayed the crab season for months, ultimately squeezing the typical seven months down to roughly two.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • That isn’t enough to humble our black-eyed lout, but spending a few months as a dishwasher at The Flagship in exchange for getting to sleep on the head chef’s hammock soon will.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
  • There’s a hot tub, a big backyard, a firepit, and a hammock for all methods of relaxation.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 29 July 2026
Definition of hammock
Noun
  • Jolley’s injuries were a result of fellow contestant Stephani Sosa accidentally hitting her in the face during a rehearsal.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • The ride is in technical rehearsals, a soft opening, more or less.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
Definition of rehearsal
Noun
  • With the retirement of Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves, the search for the next leader of the department has already begun.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • The site also reported that, despite Flock’s not sharing data with agencies like ICE, police officers have been performing searches to aid in immigration sweeps.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of search

Browse Nearby Words

shake a leg
shake down
shakedown
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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