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

Verb

• appall
• appal
• floor
• jolt
• shock

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

Developed by The Last of Us co-creator Neil Druckmann, the creative shake-up was a bold move amid a game that continually found ways to challenge the player’s assumptions and perspective. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025

The move is part of a broader management shake-up as Spirit hopes to rebound after filing for bankruptcy last November, as well as a number of M&A attempts. —Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Verb

But the contempt power significantly shakes up that balance of power. —Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2025

Some do this to lower their caffeine intake, some are looking to avoid digestive upset, and some are just trying to shake up their routines. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025

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