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
Relevance
Adjective
Examples of shaky in a Sentence
Adjective
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
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the shaky ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Mike Brown’s team opened the postseason on shaky ground, though.
—Esfandiar Baraheni, New York Times, 3 June 2026
After a shaky first term framed by a devastating wildfire and an ongoing struggle with widespread homelessness, Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is looking for a return trip to city hall Tuesday while facing challenges from both ends of the political spectrum.
—Michael R. Blood, Fortune, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Adjective
The forward scored nine points on 4-for-4 shooting in the third quarter, kept the Knicks organized when their ballhandling got shaky and helped rebuild the lead to nine entering the fourth.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the shaky ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Mike Brown’s team opened the postseason on shaky ground, though.
—Esfandiar Baraheni, New York Times, 3 June 2026
After a shaky first term framed by a devastating wildfire and an ongoing struggle with widespread homelessness, Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is looking for a return trip to city hall Tuesday while facing challenges from both ends of the political spectrum.
—Michael R. Blood, Fortune, 2 June 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 10 Jun. 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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