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
2
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake down
David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
But in years past, many cases reviewed by CNN involved scam artists who sought to shake down immigrants for cash under threat of deportation.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
In 2010, Barack Obama presented the replacement for SORT, New START, to the Senate, where GOP hawks blocked it until Obama agreed to spend tens of billions of dollars for future nuclear-modernization programs—in effect a shakedown for the nuclear-weapons industry in exchange for ratification.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Verb
Julian dispatches Ares and his deputy, Athena (an imperious Jodie Turner-Smith), to the physical world, ordering them to shake down Eve for information about Flynn’s code.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
But in years past, many cases reviewed by CNN involved scam artists who sought to shake down immigrants for cash under threat of deportation.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
That lesson better come into play with De’Von Achane this offseason because Miami’s Pro Bowl tailback will likely pull the same shakedown Tagovailoa did, sitting out most, if not all of the voluntary offseason works.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
In 2010, Barack Obama presented the replacement for SORT, New START, to the Senate, where GOP hawks blocked it until Obama agreed to spend tens of billions of dollars for future nuclear-modernization programs—in effect a shakedown for the nuclear-weapons industry in exchange for ratification.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
-
Indigenous people have been cheated through laws such as are operated in Nigeria today.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Paul frequently accuses Mortenson of cheating and lying, which he’s openly admitted to — after he gets caught.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lani Ryan, the organizer of the GoFundMe fundraiser, said her grandson, Julius, was attacked by a pit bull inside his home while resting in the bottom bunk after returning from a spring break spent with her and Julius’ brother at Great Wolf Lodge.—
Tanya Babbar,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The four-bedroom also features vaulted ceilings and large windows with Gore Range views, plus a chef’s kitchen, den, bunk room, and gym.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Samsung Browser is now officially available on Windows devices after a six-month test, bringing the previously exclusive mobile browser to desktop for the first time.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is due in a US court today to face narcoterrorism charges, a test of laws that have had limited courtroom success in the past.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The captain still remembers the day a Russian Orlan reconnaissance drone hung above a Ukrainian position, transmitting coordinates to guide Russian artillery.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The captain still remembers the day a Russian Orlan reconnaissance drone hung above a Ukrainian position, transmitting coordinates to guide Russian artillery.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
House rebels view the attempt to squeeze the SAVE America Act into reconciliation, a restrictive budget process that requires all language to have a direct fiscal impact, as capitulation and want to see the entire bill, including its mandates on voter ID and proof of citizenship, signed into law.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Priced at just £600, the 13-inch Neo squeezes many of the MacBook Air’s best features into a device that is far more affordable.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The outdoor area shines with a small pool, roof deck, and hammock.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Architectural Digest,
25 Mar. 2026
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When compared to other free-hanging wilderness shelters, there are lighter hammock systems out there, but unlike the typical two-point setup of a hammock, each Tentstile tent uses a triangular three-strap setup to create a flatter, stabler floor.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The stadium will be ready; as close to 100% as a new stadium can be without rehearsals.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
This has been part of the design process, and this has been part of the rehearsal process with the actors.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The progress of the search being conducted by Colombian authorities was unclear.—
Cristian Benavides,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The envoy members returning from Cuba this week said they were targeted for search for political reasons.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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