1
as in to shudder
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
the bus rattled and shook as it barreled down a rutted road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to avoid
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
we shook our pursuers by cutting through the abandoned lot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in minute
a very small space of time
I'll be there in two shakes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shivers
shakes plural
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
I get the shakes every time I hear her voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in quake
a shaking of the earth
the shake was a modest 3.1 on the Richter scale
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of shake
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
His daughter, Sabrina, shook her head and smiled.
—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
There are also mini shakes at $2 and many items held over from Del Taco’s last version of its value menu, Del’s Real Deals, which was introduced in July 2024.
—
Fielding Buck,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake
Verb
After encountering traffic and a 2-hour and 20-minute drive, Saritan was able to do exactly that, shake hands with a customer while dropping off equipment.
—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
His daughter, Sabrina, shook her head and smiled.
—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Noun
Lunch and dinner staples include its customizable Whataburgers, Whatachick’n sandwiches, strips and nuggets, plus salads, shakes and desserts.
—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
There are also mini shakes at $2 and many items held over from Del Taco’s last version of its value menu, Del’s Real Deals, which was introduced in July 2024.
—
Fielding Buck,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake
Verb
-
A lot of people are upset by the notion of bringing cage fights to the White House, shuddering at the bad taste of it all.
-
Design practices Not knowing ahead of time what lunar explorers may face is an unsure, shuddering proposition.
Verb
-
Manhattan matchup The two super PAC networks have largely shied away from producing ads that mention AI and have mostly chosen to avoid competing against each other in the same races.
-
Drivers are being advised to take alternate routes and to avoid the area.
Noun
-
The vehicle was first detected traveling through Washington Heights, then flagged a second time about 10 minutes later crossing the University Heights Bridge.
-
Iran appeared to score in the 26th minute off a free kick, only for the goal to be disallowed after a video review determined scorer Mehdi Taremi was offside.
Noun
-
Gives me the shivers every time.
-
Economic shivers give both the fits, and a pressured consumer has both well in the red so far this year.
Noun
-
Several residents reported experiencing the quake in and around the Ridgecrest area according to the USGS DYFI report.
-
Now, researchers report that such a quake could be more widespread and damaging than previously thought.
Verb
-
Don’t twist or jerk the tick, which can cause the mouth to break off in your skin.
-
Once the squid gather near the surface, lines fitted with bait are lowered into the water and rapidly jerked up and down to imitate small prey such as shrimp, triggering strikes before the catch is reeled aboard.
Verb
-
Federal officials said Herbert Leon Kimble, 60, was arrested in the Philippines after allegedly evading authorities for nearly two years.
-
Disclosure Day sees Daniel (O'Connor) and Margaret (Blunt) racing to evade the sinister Wardex corporation with the ultimate goal of disclosure.
Noun
-
Prosecutors said, however, that several medical professionals testified that the infant had a heartbeat when born.
-
However, at the couple's three-month appointment, they were told that their baby no longer had a heartbeat.
Cite this Entry
“Shake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
