: 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
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
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Just last Friday, the company released a number of other Performance Center talents, suggesting a significant roster shake-up is underway as the brand heads towards the Halloween Havoc special.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat star Terry Rozier are among more than 30 people arrested by authorities in two gambling investigations that have shaken up the world of NBA.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
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.
Noun
All seats up for grabs in Matthews Matthews voters will see a major shake-up on their town board this year.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Just last Friday, the company released a number of other Performance Center talents, suggesting a significant roster shake-up is underway as the brand heads towards the Halloween Havoc special.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Inspired by his years working in the food industry and his daughter’s recipe for fresh strawberry biscuits, owner Don Wilson created Twisted Biscuit to shake up your standard morning meal options.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat star Terry Rozier are among more than 30 people arrested by authorities in two gambling investigations that have shaken up the world of NBA.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
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 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share