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

Verb

• come out
• fall out
• pan out
• prove
• turn 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

In the meantime, Huang is seeing a shakeout on the Amazon platform—and a shift to new markets. —Elaine Pofeldt, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Run with Mad Miles, Urban Run Club and Nike for a one-and-a-half or three-mile shakeout run starting at The Venue in Raleigh. —Alexis Clinton, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025

Verb

Masai Ujiri tends to swing for upside, and this board shakes out with giving the Raptors some nice options up front: Queen or Duke freshman Khaman Maluach, who came from the NBA Academy in Africa. —The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 13 May 2025

The picture could become clearer once the NBA Draft Lottery shakes out after Monday night. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025

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