shakeout

1 of 2

noun

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

shake out

2 of 2

verb

shook out; shaken out; shaking out; shakes out

intransitive verb

: to prove to be in the end : turn out

wait to see how things shake out

Synonyms of shakeout

Verb

• prove
• fall 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

Noun

The uptrend recently reset itself after a brief shakeout at the start of the month, putting the iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) back on our radar. —Katie Stockton, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026

The shakeout in luxury retail that has claimed the parent company of Saks 5th Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus is about to hit shoppers. —Emily Lorsch, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026

Verb

How things shake out in terms of the cap will be interesting to watch. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

In the morning, simply shake out the excess and use a handheld vacuum to remove any leftover residue. —Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1982, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shakeout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout