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
Synonyms
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
That quartet combined for five home runs, two by McCann, in a 13-12 victory over the Boston Red Sox, an offensive output that helped cover for another poor start from trade acquisition Jack Flaherty and a shaky night for the Orioles’ bullpen and defense.
—
Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2023
Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Saturday, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, shrugging off a shaky start and making all the right adjustments to slowly assert control of the match.
—Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023
Zero sacks, but the defense comes alive late It was presumed that Utah’s most significant advantage in this game might be its ferocious defensive line against Baylor’s shaky front five.
—Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
Shaikh said the district is working to put in place long-term solutions to rising temperatures, such as shoring up the community’s shaky water infrastructure and planting shade trees lost to unplanned development.
—Annie Gowen, Niko Kommenda and Saiyna Bashir, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2023
The offense looked balanced, with playmakers all over the field, and the defense held the Yellow Jackets in check for much of the second half after a shaky second quarter.
—Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 4 Sep. 2023
The steadiest three Dodgers starters in a very shaky autumn rotation were going to be Urías, Clayton Kershaw and Bobby Miller.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2023
But that prime location is a puzzlement to the theater’s critics, who question why an organization with a shaky financial history and damaged reputation has a sweetheart deal with the city of Orlando.
—Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 3 Sep. 2023
The redshirt junior overcame a shaky beginning to finish 18 of 31 for 279 yards and two touchdowns.
—Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2023
See More
Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2023
Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Saturday, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, shrugging off a shaky start and making all the right adjustments to slowly assert control of the match.
—Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023
Zero sacks, but the defense comes alive late It was presumed that Utah’s most significant advantage in this game might be its ferocious defensive line against Baylor’s shaky front five.
—Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
Shaikh said the district is working to put in place long-term solutions to rising temperatures, such as shoring up the community’s shaky water infrastructure and planting shade trees lost to unplanned development.
—Annie Gowen, Niko Kommenda and Saiyna Bashir, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2023
The offense looked balanced, with playmakers all over the field, and the defense held the Yellow Jackets in check for much of the second half after a shaky second quarter.
—Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 4 Sep. 2023
The steadiest three Dodgers starters in a very shaky autumn rotation were going to be Urías, Clayton Kershaw and Bobby Miller.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2023
But that prime location is a puzzlement to the theater’s critics, who question why an organization with a shaky financial history and damaged reputation has a sweetheart deal with the city of Orlando.
—Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 3 Sep. 2023
The redshirt junior overcame a shaky beginning to finish 18 of 31 for 279 yards and two touchdowns.
—Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shaky.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing shaky
Dictionary Entries Near shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on shaky
Nglish: Translation of shaky for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of shaky for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share