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
Björck is at the front of that class, despite his youth and size, but best-case scenarios for Lambert or Rosén would shake up the forward depth chart. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 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
Noun
The exit of the gambling industry from the front-of-shirt market forced the biggest shake-up of the Premier League’s commercial world in 20 years this summer. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026 Weiss believes the program is in dire need of a shake-up and has to be made more relevant to digital audiences and younger crowds. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 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
  • The raid shocked the community, leading to low attendance at the Wilder School District the day after the raid, according to reporting from the Idaho Statesman.
    — Rachel Spacek, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The news shocked scientists and engineers across NASA missions, who were suddenly dealt a dose of uncertainty as their job security teetered in political limbo.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 27 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
  • Her supporters and longtime Christian collaborators are appalled by the backlash.
    — Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps most viscerally, given the ever-present specter of nuclear annihilation during the Cold War, Capps was appalled by Falwell’s apocalyptic rhetoric and cavalier posture toward global destruction.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of appall
Noun
  • The Senate approved the measure overwhelmingly because lawmakers are eager to avoid another shutdown and to campaign before the midterms.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The turbine room could have filled with water if the emergency shutdown systems failed, potentially drowning anyone inside.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of shutdown
Verb
  • Innanen stuns as Paul Baker — full name all the time — a Canadian newcomer to the group who becomes integral to his friends’ emotional processing all while operating as the resident Gen-Z eye candy.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The final price tag stunned the industry and reflected a confluence of factors inside and outside San Diego.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of stun
Noun
  • Golden Tempo, meanwhile, assumed his position near the back of the field as his deep closing style has delivered huge glory in the past.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • However, it’s best known for being an online-only provider, so the entire mortgage process, from first contact to closing, can take place online.
    — Dan Simms, USA Today, 30 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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