as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in bunk
Related Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shakedown
Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
O’Brien’s predecessor George Cashman pled guilty to extortion, following a series of troubling incidents that included a grand jury investigation into shakedowns of producers on reportedly such films as The Cider House Rules and The Perfect Storm.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Hunter tried to use references to his drug use to avoid accountability for his international shake down business.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
Verb
Barbara Fair, the executive director of Stop Solitary and one of the leading authors of the Protect Act, disagreed, saying that the Protect Act does not prevent shakedowns.
—Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025
O’Brien’s predecessor George Cashman pled guilty to extortion, following a series of troubling incidents that included a grand jury investigation into shakedowns of producers on reportedly such films as The Cider House Rules and The Perfect Storm.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
Noun
But California has allowed local governments to shake down developers for unrelated fees in exchange for a permit.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Hunter tried to use references to his drug use to avoid accountability for his international shake down business.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shakedown
Verb
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Job interviews are getting complicated in the age of AI, as ways to cheat the process proliferate.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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But in the premiere, his relentless enthusiasm and chipper choice to cheat won me over.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The spacious cabin has a combination entertainment-dining area outfitted with two sofas, a full-size kitchen, a private bathroom, and a main bedroom that can fit a king-size mattress (there are additional sleeping areas, including an overhead bunk above the cockpit).—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
24 Sep. 2025
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Once he was handcuffed, deputies placed him on the lower bunk of his cell.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Over the 55 years between Expo ’70 and EXPO 2025, countless individuals confronted solitude, persevered through trial and error, and ultimately propelled their eras forward.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
25 Sep. 2025
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Normally, this requires a lot of trial and error, building up thin films and checking whether the proportions are correct, then adjusting as needed.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Pistorius warned that 39 Chinese and Russian reconnaissance satellites were flying over Germany transmitting real-time surveillance data and said NATO allies needed to develop offensive capabilities needed to be developed in space to deter any threat.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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Then, if a system develops from the wave moving into the Bahamas, additional flights would take place to get center position fixes every six hours, according to the reconnaissance schedule.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Reds squeezed into the third wild-card slot for their first playoff appearance in five years.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Some people who have bought homes in the last few years feel squeezed by monthly payments that leave little cash left over.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The grounds are especially magical in fall—gardens alive with late-season blooms, hammocks beneath golden canopies, sweeping views of both Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.—
Christine Chitnis,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
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Nestled in the countryside near the picturesque village of Gordes, the 12-bedroom home offers striking mountain views along with a range of picturesque outdoor perks that include a heated pool, hammock, pétanque court, and an elegant garden.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Architectural Digest,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Bears have a week off to savor this thrilling win before preparing for the next test.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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Across the education system, from pre-k to college, smaller class sizes have been a wish for students and teachers alike with numerous studies finding more individualized learning boosts test scores and attendance.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When Payzant left San Diego Unified in 1993 to become an assistant secretary in the fledgling Clinton administration’s Department of Education, the school board bypassed a national search and quickly appointed Pendleton his successor.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
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As a new three-month excavation begins at the temple and underwater site, Martínez, a criminal lawyer from the Dominican Republic who has turned to diplomacy and archaeology, believes the find is a promising next step in her 20-year search for the tomb of Queen Cleopatra VII.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shakedown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shakedown. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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