shake·down
ˈshāk-ˌdau̇n 
1
: an improvised bed (such as one made up on the floor)
2
: a boisterous dance
4
: a thorough search
5
: a process or period of adjustment
6
: a testing under operating conditions of something new (such as a ship) for possible faults and defects and for familiarizing the operators with it
shook down; shaken down; shaking down; shakes down
1
a
: to take up temporary quarters
b
: to occupy an improvised or makeshift bed
2
a
: to become accustomed especially to new surroundings or duties
b
: to settle down
1
: to obtain money from in a deceitful, contemptible, or illegal manner
racketeers shaking down store owners for protection
2
: to make a thorough search of
3
: to bring about a reduction of
4
: to give a shakedown test to
shook down the vessel before its maiden voyage
Examples of shakedown in a Sentence
Noun
He was the victim of a shakedown by a street gang.
The guards conducted a shakedown of the prisoners' cells to look for weapons.
They're putting the system through a shakedown.
Verb
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Recent Examples on the Web
Arkansas Online, 1 June 2025
But even before sanctions are lifted, Syrian entrepreneurs are thrilled to be rid of the Assad family’s mafia-like dictatorship, which relied on a system of bribes and protection money and shakedowns of local businesses.
—Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The 81-year-old Burke, caught red-handed shaking down businesses needing city permits and approvals, got the same two-year penalty that Menendez is seeking.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
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Noun
The widespread poverty also fed into a culture of public corruption that developed in the Assad era, including solicitation of bribes by public employees and shakedowns by security forces at checkpoints.
—Arkansas Online, 1 June 2025
But even before sanctions are lifted, Syrian entrepreneurs are thrilled to be rid of the Assad family’s mafia-like dictatorship, which relied on a system of bribes and protection money and shakedowns of local businesses.
—Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
Verb
The statement described the lawsuit as a shake down attempt and claimed that the relationship between the woman and Sharpe was consensual.
—Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The 81-year-old Burke, caught red-handed shaking down businesses needing city permits and approvals, got the same two-year penalty that Menendez is seeking.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
Cite this Entry
“Shakedown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shakedown. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shakedown
noun
shake·down
ˈshāk-ˌdau̇n
: a testing under operating conditions of something new (as a ship) for possible faults or for the operators to become more familiar with it
a shakedown cruise
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