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
As the 19-year-old moves toward manhood, his grandfather’s shaky guidance and trauma of his own father’s incarceration lead to more than a few cringe-worthy outbursts.
—
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Like tectonic plates in the earthquake that punctuates that California-set chapter, Bonello’s narrative slips and slides, making the very premise on which the movie stands — along with the two main characters — shaky ground indeed.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Atos tossing and turning A slew of setbacks have led Atos to its shaky situation.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 10 Apr. 2024
Bottom line The recent anxieties may be tied to a shaky job market, with statewide unemployment at a two-year high and No. 1 in the nation.
—Jonathan Lansner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
Right now the story is shrinking demand and a shaky outlook, which cuts to the heart of the company’s towering stock market valuation.
—Esha Day, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
The semi-autobiographical story centers on an up-and-coming journalist in Philadelphia who deals with shaky self-esteem, a fresh-out-of-the-closet mom, an absent father and the guy who broke her heart.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Promising to fill you with energy, enhance your memory, or more, these pills, tablets, drinks, and more can often stand on shaky scientific ground.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Against a shaky economic backdrop, Balenciaga bosses must be mentally high-fiving their predecessors who listened to Moss and unleashed Le City’s potential.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Like tectonic plates in the earthquake that punctuates that California-set chapter, Bonello’s narrative slips and slides, making the very premise on which the movie stands — along with the two main characters — shaky ground indeed.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Atos tossing and turning A slew of setbacks have led Atos to its shaky situation.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 10 Apr. 2024
Bottom line The recent anxieties may be tied to a shaky job market, with statewide unemployment at a two-year high and No. 1 in the nation.
—Jonathan Lansner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
Right now the story is shrinking demand and a shaky outlook, which cuts to the heart of the company’s towering stock market valuation.
—Esha Day, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2024
The semi-autobiographical story centers on an up-and-coming journalist in Philadelphia who deals with shaky self-esteem, a fresh-out-of-the-closet mom, an absent father and the guy who broke her heart.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Promising to fill you with energy, enhance your memory, or more, these pills, tablets, drinks, and more can often stand on shaky scientific ground.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
Against a shaky economic backdrop, Balenciaga bosses must be mentally high-fiving their predecessors who listened to Moss and unleashed Le City’s potential.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
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
Share