SHAKE-UP Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

shake up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake up

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shake-up

2 of 2

noun

as in shakeout

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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 opening of the new Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee this summer shook up the local concert scene, with some 40 shows booked there that otherwise would have hit a local arena or the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2026 That vision quickly gets a lot more ambitious — and a lot more chaotic — as Murdoch and Larry lay out their plans for shaking up the newspaper world. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Noun

Following Thursday’s historic episode, the game is getting a major shake-up, with no Head of Household (HOH), Power of Veto or BB Blockbuster competitions. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 The auction house Phillips is currently going through a major executive shake-up as several high-profile senior leaders have exited the company this summer, as ARTnews reported last week. — Hok-Hang Cheung, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up

Verb

The company has sought to significantly reduce costs in Africa since the MultiChoice buyout, with streamer Showmax discontinued earlier this year in a move that shocked the local industry.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
At school the next day, students are still shocked by what happened.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shock

Noun

More importantly, according to several insiders, in the midst of a shakeout that is seeing executives stay or exiting, DC heads James Gunn and Peter Safran are staying put.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
The reflex sell-off after Wednesday's Federal Reserve rate hike gave the S&P 500 a momentary test of 7500, which proved a timely shakeout.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of shakeout

Verb

Dorian Thornley, the proprietor of Westsider Rare and Used Books, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, gives a basic literary-knowledge quiz to the young college graduates applying to work there, and has been appalled at the results.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
He was especially encouraged by conversations with current Cornell students, who said the campus needs more people who are appalled by the current news.

— Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of appall

Noun

But in the end, too many obstacles got in the way, including the government shutdown and the Pineapple Express storm in December 2025 that damaged one of the ski lifts.

— Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The post from Arc announcing its shutdown has faced significant pushback from users who claim Dia isn't as useful to them, with many asking the brand to open-source its original browser.

— James Peckham, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of shutdown

Verb

Frelick tied the score with his first home run in three months, Pratt hit a go-ahead single in the seventh inning to make up for his earlier error and the Brewers stunned the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Saturday night for a 2-0 World Series lead.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Short enough to read in a single sitting, Sara Gran’s chilling story of an architect succumbing to demonic possession will leave readers stunned and unsettled.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stun

Noun

Israeli troops took positions throughout the city and sealed it off from the rest of the territory for a second day, closing gates and checkpoints to Palestinian drivers.

— Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Vogelsong-Parvin, in her closing argument, contended that Nakira did not act like a grieving parent.

— Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of closing

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shakes up

shake up

shake-up

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Style

“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shake up

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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