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
Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
The fall dress aisle is having a shake-up this season, and this is good news for travelers.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 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
Speaking of which, the big category shake-up this year is the introduction of best traditional country album, which is alternately being seen as a reaction to Beyoncé’s best country album victory last year or simply catching up to similar subdivisions in R&B and other genres.
—Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
The fall dress aisle is having a shake-up this season, and this is good news for travelers.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 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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Continue reading … ACTION ON THE HILL – Senate advances $925B defense bill as federal workers go unpaid in shutdown.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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However, alternative data by private companies and Federal Reserve regional banks, which aren’t as affected by the shutdown, showed that the labor market continued to slow last month.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
10 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 17 Oct. 2025.
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