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 shakedown
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025
My property, my space, and all of that can still be subject to shakedown.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 16 June 2025
Christopher Bouzy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Another alleged major North Shore drug pusher is facing serious charges of distributing fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine — and even shaking down one of his own dealers at gunpoint.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
Verb
Also going to the library: the proceeds of settlements that Trump has wrung out of media and tech companies following lawsuits that many critics have characterized as blatant shakedowns.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025
My property, my space, and all of that can still be subject to shakedown.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 16 June 2025
Noun
Law firms are shaken down into submission.
—Christopher Bouzy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Another alleged major North Shore drug pusher is facing serious charges of distributing fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine — and even shaking down one of his own dealers at gunpoint.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shakedown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shakedown
Verb
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Guys were continually getting above pucks and taking hard strides back, not cheating for offense.—
Brad Elliott Schlossman,
Twin Cities,
18 Oct. 2025
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Regarding the subject of cheating and whether students might use AI to write essays, edX told Fortune that GradyAI has cheating detection built into its algorithms that can be turned on or off depending on the application.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The living room is nearby and can be outfitted with a large sofa, or a daybed – or alternatively serve as a secondary bedroom with a double bed or bunks, depending on requirements.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Oct. 2025
-
On the table next to Captain Purdie’s bunk is what looks like a copper coin, a fringe of glutinous seaweed smothering it to the surface of the wood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In this way, the robot’s system zero has learned by trial and error to walk and stay upright with high accuracy.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Finding the perfect one—one that doesn’t feel like a potato sack or scratch your skin—often takes a lot of trial and error, but the easiest way to sift through the endless options and find your next favorite sweater is by checking out what real shoppers have to say.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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These changes make the U-Hawk a flexible tool for logistics, strike, and reconnaissance operations.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
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The closest Ukrainian soldiers were several kilometers from the site, and the Ukrainians did a careful reconnaissance before sending four men on foot.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Freeman took rookie Chad Patrick deep for the first Dodgers run, and his teammates squeezed a second run out of Brewers closer Abner Uribe in the ninth.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Nara announced the cute name in a post on her Instagram showing little Fawnie curled up in soft blankets, along with a video clip squeezing her tiny hand.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sleeping in hammocks above the jungle floor to avoid venomous insect bites.—
Kit Bernardi,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
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Common areas like the on-site library, pool, and terrace with attractive cotton hammocks invite visitors to settle in and relax.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.—
Khloe Quill , Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Oct. 2025
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To showcase this luxury SUV, this week Lincoln sent me a 2025 Navigator L 4×4 to test drive and review.—
Tony Leopardo,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The long search is a familiar story.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Oct. 2025
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Developed over two years, the CCI aims to give brands an empirical readout of how social, search and site traffic activity correspond with real economic indicators, from consumer demand to share-price performance.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shakedown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shakedown. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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