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
The combination of a shaky bullpen and even worse infield defense harmed the Twins multiple times during the team’s current four-game losing streak.
—
Dan Hayes, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
That is by design — Boston will gladly trade above-the-break threes, especially by shakier shooters, for higher-percentage attempts near the rim — and the strategy worked quite well.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
But Bradley could only do so much, and after his departure, the bullpen, combined with some shaky infield defense, led to Reds runs in each of the final three innings of the game.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
Palencia’s oblique strain was the latest in a series of pitching injuries the Cubs have had to deal with, and was especially concerning considering the shaky state of the bullpen with the losses of high-leverage options Hunter Harvey and Phil Maton.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Dan Hayes, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
That is by design — Boston will gladly trade above-the-break threes, especially by shakier shooters, for higher-percentage attempts near the rim — and the strategy worked quite well.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
But Bradley could only do so much, and after his departure, the bullpen, combined with some shaky infield defense, led to Reds runs in each of the final three innings of the game.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
Palencia’s oblique strain was the latest in a series of pitching injuries the Cubs have had to deal with, and was especially concerning considering the shaky state of the bullpen with the losses of high-leverage options Hunter Harvey and Phil Maton.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 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 23 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
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