shakedown

1 of 2

noun

shake·​down ˈshāk-ˌdau̇n 

1

: an improvised bed (such as one made up on the floor)

2

: a boisterous dance

3

: an act or instance of shaking someone down

especially : extortion

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

shake down

2 of 2

verb

shook down; shaken down; shaking down; shakes down

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

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

Synonyms

Verb

• cheat
• squeeze
• pluck
• sting
• hustle
• stick
• beat
• screw
• rip off
• do
• bleed

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

Noun

But reps for the billionaire media mogul say the case is nothing but a shakedown. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025

Edward Burke to only two years in prison for a series of shakedowns. —Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1859, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for shakedown

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown

Kids 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