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
Catcher Agustin Ramirez, who is working to improve defensively after a shaky rookie season, threw out one of two runners attempting to steal a base and went 2 for 3 challenging pitches behind the plate.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
This was the foundation on which my shaky sense of security was built—that my birth had changed everything.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Accordingly, it's better represented in your portfolio as an income protector when other assets look shaky.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The turnovers have been particularly shaky at times, but Jokic seemed to turn a corner this week.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026
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.
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
This was the foundation on which my shaky sense of security was built—that my birth had changed everything.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Accordingly, it's better represented in your portfolio as an income protector when other assets look shaky.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The turnovers have been particularly shaky at times, but Jokic seemed to turn a corner this week.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 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 2 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
