: an act or instance of shaking up
specifically
: an extensive and often drastic reorganization
shook up; shaken up; shaking up; shakes up
2
: to jar by or as if by a physical shock
the collision shook up both drivers
3
: to effect an extensive and often drastic reorganization of
Synonyms of shake-up
Examples of shake-up in a Sentence
Verb
the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up
Recent Examples on the Web
Adam Reiss, NBC news, 28 May 2026
Under a bill that cleared a key committee on Wednesday evening, annual tax sales — the government’s way of dealing with delinquent property tax payments — are in line for a major shake-up statewide, though in Cook County most of all.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
The belief was that bringing in Thomas and Collins — plus a full season from emerging standouts Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen — would shake up the club’s moribund bats.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 30, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
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Noun
The moves are part of Weiss’ sweeping shake-up of the storied program, created by the legendary producer Don Hewitt.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 28 May 2026
Under a bill that cleared a key committee on Wednesday evening, annual tax sales — the government’s way of dealing with delinquent property tax payments — are in line for a major shake-up statewide, though in Cook County most of all.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Verb
Why this could shake up home services If Gatsby can make this work reliably, the impact could stretch beyond spotless counters.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
The belief was that bringing in Thomas and Collins — plus a full season from emerging standouts Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen — would shake up the club’s moribund bats.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 30, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Cite this Entry
“Shake-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shake-up. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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