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
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
The riders who stagger off of Stardust Racers have wide, shaky smiles.
—
Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
Since Belichick officially joined the team as head coach in December 2024, the season has been off to a shaky start.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
And yet, despite the somewhat shaky premise—retaining the services of an insurance company that isn’t State Farm is like hiring the All About the Bass warbler to oversee your star quarterback’s injury prevention and/or rehabilitation regimen—the spot hasn’t worn out its welcome.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Can Bo Nix and Sean Payton bounce back from a shaky Week 1 outing?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
Since Belichick officially joined the team as head coach in December 2024, the season has been off to a shaky start.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
And yet, despite the somewhat shaky premise—retaining the services of an insurance company that isn’t State Farm is like hiring the All About the Bass warbler to oversee your star quarterback’s injury prevention and/or rehabilitation regimen—the spot hasn’t worn out its welcome.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Can Bo Nix and Sean Payton bounce back from a shaky Week 1 outing?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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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