as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in bunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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 down
William Pesek, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The limited series centers on two Philadelphia con men, Ray (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (Wagner Moura), who pose as DEA agents in an effort to shake down small-time drug dealers.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Veith also pointed out that his shakedown scheme was never going to be successful, since his targets — who also included a musician who was arrested and an athlete’s relative who was busted — had access to money, power and lawyers.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Verb
Now, Japan is finding out via news stories the ways in which Trump might rock Japan’s 2025 — from tariffs on autos to the weak yen to shaking down Tokyo for multibillion-dollar payments to maintain U.S. troop levels.
—William Pesek, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
The limited series centers on two Philadelphia con men, Ray (Brian Tyree Henry) and Manny (Wagner Moura), who pose as DEA agents in an effort to shake down small-time drug dealers.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
Edward Burke, who spent a record 54 years on the City Council and now is in prison for his own shakedown scheme.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Veith also pointed out that his shakedown scheme was never going to be successful, since his targets — who also included a musician who was arrested and an athlete’s relative who was busted — had access to money, power and lawyers.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
-
Niemann, a grandmaster, beat Carlsen in an upset in a 2022 match, leading Carlsen to withdraw from the tournament and setting off wild speculation about whether Niemann could have cheated, though no such allegations were ever proven.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Neither team cheats for offense, every inch of ice is hard-earned.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The cramped cells are equipped with tiered metal bunks without mattresses, two basins for washing, and two open toilets.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Overnight guests bunk in the house’s dedicated guest suite, which features a private entrance.—
Kristine Hansen,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Figuring out a method of fisting that feels good for you and your partner(s) is mainly about trial and error and having fun.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The caffeine buzz off a Gorgie drink is gentle but perceptible, and Cordeiro Grant found it through trial and error.—
BYAllie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The unit soon started making their own drone bombs and by March 2023, Birds of Magyar had grown from a reconnaissance platoon into a strike drone company.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The commandos’ raid into the heart of Seoul on Jan. 21, 1968 — and North Korea’s seizure of the American reconnaissance ship U.S.S. Pueblo two days later — marked one of the peaks of Cold War tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula.—
Choe Sang-Hun,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
For now, the researchers have left the ship in situ, partially covering it with original soil and squeezing wet sponges onto it to preserve moisture.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The question of whether a modern Phantom can squeeze through the driveway gates remains to be seen.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Included in the resort fee are use of beach chairs, umbrellas, hammocks, bicycles, and fishing equipment (including bait).—
Cynthia J Drake,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Some of the most snag-worthy finds include a camping hammock that has more than 25,000 five-star ratings.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The average rating for these bread and butter pickle chips was almost an entire point higher than every other pickle in the test.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2025
-
It is called the ABC test because companies must meet three specific requirements: CEO: C-suite news, analysis, and advice for top decision makers right to your inbox.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Per the memo, the university plans to restart the search process once a new president is in place.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2025
-
OpenAI has increasingly been prioritizing its own search offering since the launch of SearchGPT last year.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share