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
PC Magazine, 9 June 2025
Could the team be open to shaking up the roster more?
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 June 2025
Many close watchers of FEMA do think the agency needs a dramatic shake-up and that states should be responsible for more of the financial burden of catastrophe.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Verb
After Criterion's 2008 masterpiece shook up the racing genre, I've been convinced that the ideal racing game features an open world that captures the real-life joy of casually driving to interesting locales, but with a recklessness that's only safe in a video game.
—PC Magazine, 9 June 2025
Could the team be open to shaking up the roster more?
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
Noun
Other options include restricting tax relief on pensions for high earners, a £3 billion levy on the gambling industry and a shake-up of council tax, which is based on 1991 property values.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 June 2025
Many close watchers of FEMA do think the agency needs a dramatic shake-up and that states should be responsible for more of the financial burden of catastrophe.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
Verb
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The release of the show including Payne — whose tragic death in Argentina in October last year shocked the world — has been permitted by his family, Netflix has said.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
24 June 2025
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Analysts say even a slight disruption on the strait could shock a U.S. economy already preparing for a rise in inflation and force the Fed to hold interest rates throughout the end of the year.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Noun
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So, whether Amazon’s AI jobs shakeout turns out to be a painful retrenching, a gradual recalibration, or something else entirely, recent history seems to suggest the company, if nothing else, has the right man for the job.—
Jason Del Rey,
Fortune,
17 June 2025
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Palace, sitting at the bottom of the Women’s Super League (WSL) table, were the perfect confidence-boosting shakeout as Chelsea won 4-0.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Among the key points: The surprise June 10 shutdown and stranding of hundreds of passengers by Silver just as the company was about to be sold as a turnkey operation to an affiliate of Wexford Capital of West Palm Beach and Connecticut.—
David Lyons,
Sun Sentinel,
25 June 2025
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That would coincide with a broader deadline to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Still, there is plenty here that should appall both Democrats and Republicans.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
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Dismay or appall you, sure, but never surprise you.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Following presentations from prosecutors and Combs' attorneys, which wrapped June 24, the trial will now enter closing arguments before the jury is sent into deliberations.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
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Slavik’s closing arguments are expected to last the entirety of Thursday, with the defense prepared to give their side on Friday before the jury begins deliberations on Monday.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The trade stunned the sport, perplexed rival executives and devastated Bostonians.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Charlotte had stunned the Canucks with a goal at the 8:22 mark of the first period, and the game was tied 1-1 entering the final 20 minutes.—
Steve Lyttle,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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