shakier; shakiest
1
: characterized by shakes
shaky timber
2
a
: lacking stability : precarious
a shaky economy
performed well after a shaky start
b
: lacking in firmness (as of beliefs or principles)
c
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky experimental procedures
shaky data
3
a
: somewhat unsound in health
b
: characterized by shaking
4
: likely to give way or break down
a shaky ladder
Synonyms of shaky
Examples of shaky in a Sentence
She took a few shaky steps before she collapsed.
Her commitment to the cause seems shaky.
Their marriage is on shaky ground.
The team has performed better lately after getting off to a shaky start.
Recent Examples on the Web
Beyond politics, economists worry that artificial intelligence will encourage businesses to further slash workforces in an already shaky labor market.
—
Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
The fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti were captured on shaky video by bystanders clutching smartphones in the bitter cold and standing within shouting distance of the victims.
—Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
On Saturday, Israeli strikes killed 12 people including six children across Gaza, health authorities in the enclave said, despite the shaky ceasefire.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
If a handle is loose or a jumper is shaky, the game doesn’t politely ignore it.
—Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
The fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti were captured on shaky video by bystanders clutching smartphones in the bitter cold and standing within shouting distance of the victims.
—Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
On Saturday, Israeli strikes killed 12 people including six children across Gaza, health authorities in the enclave said, despite the shaky ceasefire.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
If a handle is loose or a jumper is shaky, the game doesn’t politely ignore it.
—Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shaky
adjective
shakier; shakiest
1
a
: lacking firmness
b
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky data
2
: marked by shaking : trembling
3
: likely to give way or break down
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