shake up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake upnext
as in to shock
to cause an unpleasant surprise for the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shake-up

2 of 2

noun

as in shakeout

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shake up
Verb
The pilot assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in Miramar, California, is seen with his face bloodied and appearing a little shaken up in the body camera footage released Friday by the Yakima County Sheriff's Office. — Jennifer Watts, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 Chisholm was shaken up after trying to field Dominic Canzone's infield single in the ninth, but the second baseman remained in the game and followed with a terrific defensive play. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
Costanza's removal comes amid a broader shake-up of the military's senior ranks, with more than two dozen high-ranking officers removed or sidelined under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, often without public explanation. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 The latest layoffs come just weeks after another major shake-up for the station. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
  1. shock
  2. shakeout
  3. appall
  4. shutdown
  5. stun
  6. closing
Verb
  • On Monday June 29, a bomb exploded on the doorstep of Yermolaiev’s luxury apartment in Monaco, gravely injuring the Ukrainian millionaire and shocking residents of the wealthy city state.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Fans were thus shocked when Jillian filed for divorce in January 2015.
    — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of shock
Noun
  • There was a sharp shakeout in March that took the stock back near $77 and the 200-day, and the same buyers showed up again.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The layoffs, focused on wine screw cap operations, underscore a statewide shakeout driven by declining demand, rising costs and an oversupply of grapes that is forcing wineries to close and cut jobs.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of shakeout
Verb
  • But those enrolled in drug trials were left appalled by the news.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Perverse incentives For their part, wildfire experts say that they are appalled by the mere existence of prediction markets that allow for trading on these disasters.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of appall
Noun
  • Attempts at redirecting water were not sufficient to maintain the cooling needs of the reactor, forcing a shutdown.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The fuel crisis, which began gaining momentum in May and by July had spread to almost all regions of Russia, follows the shutdown of several refineries hit in drone attacks and a seasonal rise in demand.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of shutdown
Verb
  • Narwhals have been observed using them to stun small Arctic cod while hunting.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Many in Hollywood and beyond were left stunned by news of the passing of multifaceted performer Hayden Panettiere at age 36, as reported Sunday night.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of stun
Noun
  • The closing of the Strait of Hormuz presents logistic challenges for large construction projects in the region.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • DinoLand’s closing date was first announced in September 2025.
    — Mackenzie Schmidt, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of closing

Browse Nearby Words

shakes up
shake up
shake-up
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Cite this Entry

“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of shake up for Spanish Speakers

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