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
Implementation of that reform, including a network consolidation that began last year, has been shaky as the agency sought to streamline mail processing and cut transportation costs.
—
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 12 May 2025
Any relocation would be a boost to Puerto Rico’s shaky economy as the government emerges from a historic bankruptcy and continues to struggle with chronic power outages.
—Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
This season, McKenzie looked very shaky in spring training.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Government forces had retaken control from the armed groups that turned the town into a sectarian battlefield for two days this week, killing dozens and exposing for all to see the new Syrian leaders’ shaky grip on security.
—Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 12 May 2025
Any relocation would be a boost to Puerto Rico’s shaky economy as the government emerges from a historic bankruptcy and continues to struggle with chronic power outages.
—Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
This season, McKenzie looked very shaky in spring training.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Government forces had retaken control from the armed groups that turned the town into a sectarian battlefield for two days this week, killing dozens and exposing for all to see the new Syrian leaders’ shaky grip on security.
—Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 3 May 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 21 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
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