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
shakily adverb
shakiness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After a shaky first half, Brissett was brilliant in the second. James Boyd, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 The shaky MacKenzie-Grant alliance will survive because Dougal will marry that boot-mouthed, hoity-toity Grant, Maura. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025 These accounts often include shaky video taken at night of protesters and counterprotesters facing off. Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025 However, some have recognized this as shaky legal ground. Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shaky

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shaky was in 1703

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids 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
shakily adverb
shakiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shaky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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