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
Inflation is stubbornly high, the job market is shaky, and global tariffs have stirred public anxiety.
—
Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2025
Ryan Pressly, who was shaky early, brings the veteran presence the group missed in recent years.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Set a savings goal Conventional wisdom suggests having at least three months' worth of expenses set aside, though financial experts are increasingly recommending people have closer to six in a shaky economy and job market.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Despite inflation easing and unemployment staying low, confidence is shaky.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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.
Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 30 Apr. 2025
Ryan Pressly, who was shaky early, brings the veteran presence the group missed in recent years.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Set a savings goal Conventional wisdom suggests having at least three months' worth of expenses set aside, though financial experts are increasingly recommending people have closer to six in a shaky economy and job market.
—Rachel Barber, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Despite inflation easing and unemployment staying low, confidence is shaky.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 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 6 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share