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

Related Words

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 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
  1. shock
  2. shakeout
  3. appall
  4. shutdown
  5. stun
  6. closing
Verb
  • Neighbors told the Daily News they were shocked by the fire’s speed and ferocity.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But the Chiefs are bringing in some competition that shocked fans on Wednesday.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 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
  • When James Kelman won the Booker Prize in 1994, the decision was met with disgust by the literary establishment, appalled by the profanity and the informality of the Glasgow drunk whose inner life the novel details.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Not only were Democrats appalled, so were many conservatives inside the beltway and beyond.
    — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 2 Nov. 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
  • Helen fell speechless, stunned into silence by the shock of Andrew’s death.
    — Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Miles away in Fairhaven, Pennsylvania, Chief of Police Dave Ellison (Bill Camp) gets a call that stuns him, and prompts him to contact the FBI immediately.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 30 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

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 4 Nov. 2026.

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