shake·out
ˈshāk-ˌau̇t 
1
: the failure or retrenchment of a significant number of firms in the economy or a sector or an industry that usually results in a depressed market
2
: a period or process in which the relatively weak or unessential are eliminated
shook out; shaken out; shaking out; shakes out
: to prove to be in the end : turn out
wait to see how things shake out
Examples of shakeout in a Sentence
Verb
after hearing about all the elaborate planning, I can't wait to see how that wedding shakes out
Recent Examples on the Web
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 May 2025
Call it a sign of the coming digital health shakeout.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 June 2025
Pricing may eventually shift though, depending how tariffs shake out.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakeout
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Noun
Be sure to give your towels a thorough shakeout after hitting the beach to avoid costly repairs and other appliance issues due to sand buildup.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 May 2025
Call it a sign of the coming digital health shakeout.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Verb
Life Kit breaks down the guidance with a comic:
➡️ Calm your body by shaking out your hands to release tension, unclenching and relaxing your jaw, and breathing slowly and steadily to lower your anxiety levels.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 June 2025
Pricing may eventually shift though, depending how tariffs shake out.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakeout
Cite this Entry
“Shakeout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shakeout. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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