as in to shock
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake up
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
On February 4, 2023, fashion house Louis Vuitton shook up the fashion world with the announcement that Pharrell was to become artistic director of its men's collections.
—Valentine Ulgu-Servant, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
That shake-up was on display within days of starting.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Verb
Mayor Karen Bass, running for a second term in the June 2 election, is shaking up that routine, by delivering two different State of the City addresses nearly three months apart.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
On February 4, 2023, fashion house Louis Vuitton shook up the fashion world with the announcement that Pharrell was to become artistic director of its men's collections.
—Valentine Ulgu-Servant, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
For some teams, that involves a shake-up in the coaching staff and front office.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
That shake-up was on display within days of starting.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
Verb
-
Nix’s season-ending injury and the subsequent news that Stidham would be starting in the AFC Championship shocked the NFL world.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The filing brings to an end an unusual saga that shocked Georgia’s political world after cameras captured Durand enter the PSC hearing room during a recess before taking the booklet from the commission’s downtown Atlanta offices.—
Drew Kann,
AJC.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Private equity is going through a shakeout.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The head of India’s biggest quick commerce player says the sector is hurtling toward a shakeout as rivals’ cash dries up, but that his startup will thrive — and continue its expansion.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The unconscionable treatment of maids in Alma’s era finds uncomfortable parallels in the 1980s, when Angelika is both appalled and intrigued by the leering looks of her uncle Uwe (Konstantin Lindhorst).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Jefferson—the original originalist—would have been appalled at some of our recent Supreme Court decisions.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Negotiations to avert a partial government shutdown are being complicated by Democratic demands that any changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy be written into law by Congress.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Jan. 2026
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If the Senate doesn't pass that package of bills by the end of the day Friday, a partial government shutdown will begin.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So we were stunned to read about how Sean Harden, chair of the Chicago Board of Education as duly appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, reportedly had launched two internal investigations into how that board’s super-secret business got into the hands of reporters.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Others were stunned by individual line items.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Anatomy of a Merger — Jim Freund A clear, deal-lawyer’s view of how acquisitions unfold, from negotiation through closing and early integration.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
According to the Olympic ticket price list, the most expensive seats are for the closing ceremony in the Verona Arena, which are priced at €2,900 (about $3,500).—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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