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
Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
What Parents Can Do While a shake-up of the technology industry may take some time, parents have the ability to make more immediate changes at home.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Roach’s return will shake up Denver’s defensive line rotation, particularly against a New York Jets team that has run the ball effectively so far this season.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Verb
For an actor who’s long mastered the art of subtlety, this role feels like a deliberate shake-up, and a reminder that Stanfield’s range still has new corners to reveal.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
What Parents Can Do While a shake-up of the technology industry may take some time, parents have the ability to make more immediate changes at home.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
There is good reason to shake up CBS News.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
Roach’s return will shake up Denver’s defensive line rotation, particularly against a New York Jets team that has run the ball effectively so far this season.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake-up
Verb
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In their wake, many Americans are justifiably alarmed and shocked by the scale of government force.—
Josiah Bates,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
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Instead of pulling himself up, Red Hood shocks the hero with a hand buzzer and falls into the chemicals.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But while fans eagerly await the leaderboard's final shakeout, one name has already slipped from contention: Robert MacIntyre.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Sep. 2025
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All-Terrain Testing My first run in the shoe was a short 5k shakeout on the roads around downtown Chamonix.—
Will Porter,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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About two weeks into the shutdown, reporters from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Appleton Post-Crescent and Green Bay Press-Gazette visited downtown areas to ask residents and visitors how the shutdown is impacting them — and who, if anyone, is to blame.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Hundreds of congressional staffers lined up on what was the 15th day of the shutdown for a chance to snap a picture with the senator and his 60-pound bulldog, whose face donned custom cakes and cake pops.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After going public together on social media, the pair have elicited strong reactions from people in their comments — some appalled by their age gap and others who quickly jump to their defense.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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Hollywood leaders were astonished; free speech groups were appalled; and the episode triggered a multi-day news cycle about free speech and corporate capitulation to political pressure.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As the closing credits rolled, Finola Dwyer (Brooklyn, An Education), who happened to be seated next to me, looked over, but neither of us could speak.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
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The closing angle of Raw saw Vision members Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed turn on Rollins after the main event.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Community left stunned, vigil created for victims Photos posted by WSAV on Facebook show a vigil outside of Willie's Bar and Grill to pay tribute to the victims.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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Buffalo experienced their first loss in Week 5, as they were stunned by the New England Patriots with a final score of 23-20.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake-up. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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