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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Recent Examples of shake up
Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 11 June 2026
He is credited with shaking up modern photography with narrative forms often told like a comic strip, supplemented with his own, often poetic, handwritten captions and titles.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 11 June 2026
Adam Reiss, NBC news, 28 May 2026
Allegri will now depart alongside sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a radical shake-up of the top of the club.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Verb
The kids were not hurt but they were shaken up.
—Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 11 June 2026
He is credited with shaking up modern photography with narrative forms often told like a comic strip, supplemented with his own, often poetic, handwritten captions and titles.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 11 June 2026
Noun
The moves are part of Weiss’ sweeping shake-up of the storied program, created by the legendary producer Don Hewitt.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 28 May 2026
Allegri will now depart alongside sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a radical shake-up of the top of the club.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
Verb
-
In a phone interview with The Times, her sister, Vanessa Marseille, said the family was shocked and devastated over the incident.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
The audience was definitely shocked and also touched.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The industry has weathered a brutal shakeout, with major operators merging, downsizing or shutting down entirely.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
-
After last week’s industrywide sell-off, the question is whether AI stocks broadly are heading for a long downturn or just needed a shakeout to get rid of excessive optimism.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Democratic lawmakers were predictably appalled by Pulte’s selection.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2026
-
Taxpayers were rightfully appalled.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The Hurricanes’ combination of shutdown center Jordan Staal and defenseman Jaccob Slavin completely nullified Vegas’ top players.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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But the shutdown at Pearl and the economic pressure to prioritize diesel over lubricants are both expected to continue into next year.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Brazil, meanwhile, had to battle back after Morocco stunned them with a goal before the first hydration break.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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While posing for photos at the event, Scherzinger stunned in a strapless black Zuhair Murad gown with a structured corset bodice with sheer fabric and fabric draped on the hips.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Community partners currently leasing space in the facility also will operate as usual until the closing date, the YMCA said.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
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First, Dad’s damp basement office, then, the sound of Dad’s voice reciting the opening and closing stanzas.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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