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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as in bunk
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake down
William Pesek, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The limited series centers on two Philadelphia con men, Ray (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (Wagner Moura), who pose as DEA agents in an effort to shake down small-time drug dealers.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Edward Burke, who spent a record 54 years on the City Council and now is in prison for his own shakedown scheme.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Verb
Now, Japan is finding out via news stories the ways in which Trump might rock Japan’s 2025 — from tariffs on autos to the weak yen to shaking down Tokyo for multibillion-dollar payments to maintain U.S. troop levels.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The limited series centers on two Philadelphia con men, Ray (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (Wagner Moura), who pose as DEA agents in an effort to shake down small-time drug dealers.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
In October and November, tourist season’s still doing shakedown laps.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Edward Burke, who spent a record 54 years on the City Council and now is in prison for his own shakedown scheme.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
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Disgruntled attendees, many of them authors, said they felt cheated by event organizers, who failed to deliver on most, if not all fronts.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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In their stories about others, 92% chronicled how misfortune befell cheating partners, indebted friends, bullies and lousy coworkers.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Where to stay Graduate by Hilton, just steps from Virginia Commonwealth University, has a rooftop pool and family suites with a king-size bed in one room and bunks in the other.—
Ashlea Halpern,
AFAR Media,
29 Apr. 2025
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But the sun-drenched former tourist hub is nonetheless feeling the effects, as tens of thousands of refugees fleeing the gangs’ terror bunk with family and friends in this sleepy remote corner of Haiti.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Figuring out a method of fisting that feels good for you and your partner(s) is mainly about trial and error and having fun.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
30 Apr. 2025
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The caffeine buzz off a Gorgie drink is gentle but perceptible, and Cordeiro Grant found it through trial and error.—
BYAllie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile the escapees are being led to safety by a reconnaissance drone.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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But in that time, the Houthis have successfully been able to shoot down a significant number of MQ-9 Reaper drones that provide real-time surveillance and reconnaissance information that is key in finding the targets for those airstrikes.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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For now, the researchers have left the ship in situ, partially covering it with original soil and squeezing wet sponges onto it to preserve moisture.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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The question of whether a modern Phantom can squeeze through the driveway gates remains to be seen.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Many playgrounds now include spider swings or hammock attachments as well.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
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Featuring private guest balconies, hammocks, and lush foliage throughout the five-acre property, Parrot Key offers a restful escape from the Key West reverie.—
Cynthia J Drake,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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However, department officials declined to provide the copies of the soil test results, saying data had yet to be finalized.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
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In late 2024, OpenAI’s o3 model indicated significantly stronger performance than any previous model on a number of the field’s most challenging tests of programming, abstract reasoning, and scientific reasoning.—
Yoshua Bengio,
Time,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Cue a frantic search of the local hospitals that only ended several hours later at Pinderfields in Wakefield.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
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Police in Florida are asking the public for information amid the ongoing search for a missing 15-year-old girl.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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