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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Recent Examples of shake up
Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 18 June 2026
These new contestants are welcomed throughout the season to shake up things in the villa.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
The moves are part of Weiss’ sweeping shake-up of the storied program, created by the legendary producer Don Hewitt.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Verb
And while certainly shaken up, the driver and passenger (also test dummies in this case) likely could have walked away without being struck by shattered glass or a protruding antler.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 18 June 2026
These new contestants are welcomed throughout the season to shake up things in the villa.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Noun
That’s left the candidates seeing room for a last-minute shake-up in the race’s closing days.
—Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026
The moves are part of Weiss’ sweeping shake-up of the storied program, created by the legendary producer Don Hewitt.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
Verb
-
In a phone interview with The Times, her sister, Vanessa Marseille, said the family was shocked and devastated over the incident.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
The audience was definitely shocked and also touched.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The industry has weathered a brutal shakeout, with major operators merging, downsizing or shutting down entirely.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
-
After last week’s industrywide sell-off, the question is whether AI stocks broadly are heading for a long downturn or just needed a shakeout to get rid of excessive optimism.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Seated beside Rosado on Wednesday, Lopez appeared appalled at what had transpired in recent weeks.—
Tess Riski
June 18,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
Democratic lawmakers were predictably appalled by Pulte’s selection.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Horse carriage drivers end temporary pause TWU Local 100, the union representing carriage drivers, called for the temporary shutdown after the collision last Wednesday.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
-
During a government shutdown last year, courts blocked the administration from cutting off benefits.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
Verb
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The tiny island nation that stunned tournament favorite Spain in last week's opener took a 1-0 lead over Uruguay early in their match on Kevin Pina's free kick.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 June 2026
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The strike ended a 299-minute World Cup scoring drought for the 2010 champions, who had been held goalless in their opener by Cape Verde — a result that stunned the football world.—
Olivia Shalhoup,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Noun
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Community partners currently leasing space in the facility also will operate as usual until the closing date, the YMCA said.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
-
First, Dad’s damp basement office, then, the sound of Dad’s voice reciting the opening and closing stanzas.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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