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
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
Now, a new study suggests researchers globally may have built these plans on a shaky foundation.
—
Marcos Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Led by guard LaMelo Ball, rookie guard Kon Knueppel and third-year forward Brandon Miller, the Hornets are an eye-opening 19-6 after a shaky 13-25 start to the season.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
No salary retention is a huge plus, but the decision to extend him a year early when the team’s outlook was shaky was a choice.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Today, the country is considered a shaky democracy at best, and civil rights abuses abound.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Marcos Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Led by guard LaMelo Ball, rookie guard Kon Knueppel and third-year forward Brandon Miller, the Hornets are an eye-opening 19-6 after a shaky 13-25 start to the season.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
No salary retention is a huge plus, but the decision to extend him a year early when the team’s outlook was shaky was a choice.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Today, the country is considered a shaky democracy at best, and civil rights abuses abound.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 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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