shake-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈshāk-ˌəp 

: an act or instance of shaking up

specifically : an extensive and often drastic reorganization

shake up

2 of 2

verb

shook up; shaken up; shaking up; shakes up

transitive verb

1

obsolete : chide, scold

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

Verb

• shock
• appall
• stun

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

Noun

Your usual preferences could use a little shake-up, so book the class, plan the trip and consider the option that feels less predictable. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026

Buckhead fine dining restaurant Aria has hired a new executive chef in another shake-up among Atlanta’s elite kitchens this year. — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 9 June 2026

Verb

But Wadhams says unaffiliated voters who are tired of one-party rule in Colorado could shake up the Republican primary for governor. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 27 June 2026

Catherine’s sister Claire (Kara Young and, later, Adrienne Warren) flies in from New York City following their father’s passing, shaking up Catherine’s universe. — Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1847, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shake-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

shake-up

1 of 2 noun

ˈshā-ˌkəp

: an act or instance of shaking up

especially : a reorganization that has extreme effects

lost their jobs in an office shake-up

shake up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)shā-ˈkəp

1

: to jar by or as if by a physical shock

the accident shook up both drivers

the news shook us up

2

: to bring about an extensive reorganization of