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
Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Rare Beauty shook up the cosmetics industry with its viral liquid blush.
—Elizabeth Denton, Allure, 1 Apr. 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
In season 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors, which also stars executive producer Jon Hamm, James makes his debut as Owen Ashe, a charming billionaire whose arrival quickly shakes up Westmont Village.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Rare Beauty shook up the cosmetics industry with its viral liquid blush.
—Elizabeth Denton, Allure, 1 Apr. 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
-
One of his players from the 2005 team, outfielder Scott Podsednik, shocked Guillén with the announcement.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Coming off three straight 100-loss seasons and widely projected for a fourth in 2026, Polis believes the club’s changed front office, led by president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, gives the Rockies a shot to shock the baseball world with a wild-card berth.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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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Back in Brooklyn after college at Emerson, she was appalled by the march toward war that followed 9/11.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Minerliz’ family was relieved — and appalled.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The office has also been buffeted by downsizing, a hiring freeze and a lengthy government shutdown.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Chimney Rock, North Carolina — Markwayne Mullin, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, promised Tuesday that DHS employees affected by the ongoing government shutdown can expect to receive paychecks by the end of the week.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Arms were folded, faces stunned by, and a feeling of defeat—that's what was left as the road to the championship came to a halt with the Fighting Illini losing to the UConn Huskies.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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While new-car sales dropped in the EU through January, BYD stunned the market by reporting a 175% year-on-year increase in deliveries to 13,982 units, according to ACEA data.—
Sam Meredith,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 8 Apr. 2026.
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