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
Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
The Avs needed to trade Rantanen to shake up the locker room, but MacFarland landed terrific regular-season players who turned into postseason ghosts.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 May 2025
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2025
In the past week, there've been several agency shake-ups, a tense Oval Office meeting with Canada's new leader, social media posts about new holidays and remarks over possible tax hikes, and ongoing back-and-forths with several nations and industries over Trump's aggressive import tariffs.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Verb
All about sustainable beauty, fashion, design, and wellness The Tiktok trade wars of China and last year’s Dior scandal have shaken up an entire luxury segment.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
The Avs needed to trade Rantanen to shake up the locker room, but MacFarland landed terrific regular-season players who turned into postseason ghosts.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 May 2025
Noun
Many of these challengers are Generation Z or millennials calling for a generational shake-up in national politics against lawmakers who are accepting of the status quo.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2025
In the past week, there've been several agency shake-ups, a tense Oval Office meeting with Canada's new leader, social media posts about new holidays and remarks over possible tax hikes, and ongoing back-and-forths with several nations and industries over Trump's aggressive import tariffs.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
Verb
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James’s words shocked her so much that Annabelle almost ran a red light.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
19 May 2025
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The deportations — of mostly men, but also women and children — shocked many in India.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Call it a sign of the coming digital health shakeout.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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In the meantime, Huang is seeing a shakeout on the Amazon platform—and a shift to new markets.—
Elaine Pofeldt,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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McNally blames that mismatch on the shutdown of refineries around the United States as forecasters projected weaker gasoline demand due to the rise of electric vehicles.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
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The visitors also got 9 1/3 innings of one-run baseball from a shutdown bullpen featuring former Padres reliever Andrés Muñoz.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Still, there is plenty here that should appall both Democrats and Republicans.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
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Dismay or appall you, sure, but never surprise you.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The closings come after a series of high-profile openings on Camp Bowie Boulevard as growth in the western suburbs brings the area more traffic and patrons.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 May 2025
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Our organizations have been closely monitoring the closing of civic space and attacks on independent press in El Salvador and are deeply concerned at the increasingly pervasive environment of fear that threatens freedoms in the country.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 May 2025
Verb
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At the May 5 event, dubbed fashion's biggest night, Zendaya stunned with a dapper, tailored Louis Vuitton white suit with a matching brimmed hat.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Keisha is bound for Howard University, while Justin stunned his parents with the decision to defer his first year at Northwestern in order to pursue his love for music.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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