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
Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
This announcement comes at a time when the smart ring industry is going through lots of shake-ups.
—Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 30 Aug. 2025
Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Uranus in your sign has been shaking up your identity, your vibe, your appearance, and even your long-term goals.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Verb
And in other high-profile-firing news: A day after the CDC shake-up, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook officially sued Trump over her own high-profile ouster, setting up another legal showdown.
—Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
This announcement comes at a time when the smart ring industry is going through lots of shake-ups.
—Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
The blockbuster trade that shook up not only the basketball world but the sports world took place seven months ago between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks.
—Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Uranus in your sign has been shaking up your identity, your vibe, your appearance, and even your long-term goals.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake-up
Verb
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Apparently, this will shock no one, everybody lately wants to scream.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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In 2019, after massive layoffs and lost sales, the company shocked Wall Street by writing down the value of marquee brands Oscar Mayer and Kraft by $15 billion.—
Alina Selyukh,
NPR,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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So many startups have launched over the last five years that many close observers in the space expect there to be a shakeout soon.—
Natalie Jarvey,
Fortune,
1 Sep. 2025
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The only question is which enterprises will survive the shakeout and lead the next industrial revolution.—
Mark Minevich,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Senate Democrats are attempting to wield their leverage over Republicans, who will need their help in a few weeks to clear a 60-vote filibuster and avert the latest shutdown deadline.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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The sudden shutdown comes as another ominous sign of significant struggles in the entertainment eco-system, particularly in Hollywood where the economy has faced headwinds ranging from natural disasters to labor strikes.—
William Earl,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Leo’s appalled; Geno looks forward to eating.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
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Trump’s victories against the bureaucracy have appalled many Democrats, though none have much of a theory on how to put Humpty Dumpty back together.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 59-year-old supermodel stepped out in March with husband Rande Gerber to attend the closing night of their daughter Kaia Gerber’s play Evanston Salt Costs Climbing in Los Angeles.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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The acquisition is still subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead, the army became bogged down in a grinding war of attrition, and the West was stunned by Moscow’s poor battlefield performance.—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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When news of the closing of Valerie Chang’s Peruvian restaurant Maty’s was announced in Midtown, Miami diners were stunned.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake-up. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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