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
Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
More Than Hot Dogs and Beer The 9-9-9 challenge is part of a broader push to shake up the ballpark experience heading into a landmark season.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
That shake-up was on display within days of starting.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Verb
Parts of its product line also get periodically shaken up, with seasonal finds and other favorites being introduced or withdrawn, but customers can count on the staples in our basket.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
More Than Hot Dogs and Beer The 9-9-9 challenge is part of a broader push to shake up the ballpark experience heading into a landmark season.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
For some teams, that involves a shake-up in the coaching staff and front office.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
That shake-up was on display within days of starting.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
Verb
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Freddy Valle, a resident, says many were shocked by the notice.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The recent news that a former athletic trainer at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale had been arrested and charged with murder has shocked some students.—
Abigail Min,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Millstream, which already makes soft drinks and cider, acknowledged that the acquisition of 5-year-old Kismet reflects changing times in the beer industry, which has seen a shakeout as consumer tastes shift from alcohol to lighter beverages.—
Des Moines Register,
Des Moines Register,
1 Apr. 2026
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The move is getting stretched short-term with RSI pushing into the high 70s, so chasing strength up here comes with risk of a shakeout or sideways digestion.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Minerliz’ family was relieved — and appalled.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
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When the Mach-E hit the scene, plenty of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle purists were appalled by the idea that Ford would badge an EV as a Mustang.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The donation debacle comes amid the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has left more than 64,000 airport security workers working without pay.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Sacramento International Airport transportations security officers received some pay Monday — their first paycheck in over a month — as the partial government shutdown continues.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The second came when UConn stunned Duke on that last-second 3-point shot to upset the Blue Devils in the Elite Eight.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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Tony-award-winning actor John Kani said he was stunned when the theatre's founders Barney Simon and Mannie Manim first told him their vision.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some schools in Minnesota have already announced closings or shifts to virtual learning on Thursday as another round of winter weather threatens parts of the state.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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That Final Smile The closing image is everything.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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