shake out 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake outnext
as in to prove
to come to be after hearing about all the elaborate planning, I can't wait to see how that wedding shakes out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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shakeout

2 of 2

noun

as in shake-up

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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 out
Verb
Though its name references its length, for the metric-averse this shakes out at just 18 feet. — New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026 That’s a little bit about how the water and energy use shakes out. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
Tung predicts a multi-year shakeout that will ripple through the LP base, the venture market and even the buyout market, and all at once. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 11 June 2026 Duffy said that as a result of a low-cost carrier like Spirit shutting down, the industry will experience a shakeout where larger carriers that provide better offers and service take complete control. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake out
  1. prove
  2. shake-up
  3. fall out
  4. shutdown
  5. closing
  6. downsizing
Verb
  • Getting Brown proved to be the move that unlocked Philadelphia’s ability to recruit James.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The height variations alone generated strong ESM signals, proving that false data could appear out of thin air.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of prove
Noun
  • That realignment shake-up also makes Heights and White Settlement Brewer foes in District 4-5A Division I.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Following Thursday’s historic episode, the game is getting a major shake-up, with no Head of Household (HOH), Power of Veto or BB Blockbuster competitions.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shake-up
Verb
  • Vaakanainen, who won gold with Finland at the world championships this summer, fell out of favor under Sullivan and appeared in only 34 games last season.
    — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Guadagnino says at one point that part of his goal was to turn Gen Z audiences onto a director whose work seems somewhat to have fallen out of favor.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of fall out
Noun
  • Last October, during what became the longest government shutdown in American history, the President posted a series of photographs of his renovation of the White House’s Lincoln Bathroom.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That combination of mobility, length and assertiveness fuels belief that Šmits can be a shutdown NHL defender.
    — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of shutdown
Noun
  • Young actor Jung is also terrific, as a boy who perhaps understands more than his parents give him credit for, something hinted at in a closing reveal.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The sound of the transfer window closing always brings a certain relief.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of closing
Noun
  • Of course, there are other normal course of business costs, such as rents on stores, payroll, taxes, and purchasing inventory, but they’re greatly reduced following ELG’s dramatic downsizing.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The downsizing comes amid a particularly challenging stretch for film and TV productions in California.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of downsizing

Browse Nearby Words

shake (off)
shake out
shakeout
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Cite this Entry

“Shake out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20out. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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