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
Shakira will be shaking up Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza with a concert on November 28, promoter Rabih Mokbel told the National. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Later, the Sun squares Uranus, shaking up plans, routines, or preferences. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
In mid-August, OpenAI announced a new chief revenue officer—its fifth C-suite shake-up in the past year, but arguably its most important as the company sprints toward what could be an historic IPO, Forlini writes. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 Fedorov was dismissed in July as part of a broader government shake-up. — ABC News, 26 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
  • Otherwise, considering the Seahawks had only three safeties on their initial 53-man roster, I wouldn’t be shocked if a cornerback entered the lineup.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • When it was released in 2016, Hero shocked the country music establishment in more ways than one.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 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
  • The two competitors crashed through the table, leaving the fans stunned.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Locals gathering at the site of Pretti’s murder were stunned and furious.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of stun
Noun
  • Young actor Jung is also terrific, as a boy who perhaps understands more than his parents give him credit for, something hinted at in a closing reveal.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The sound of the transfer window closing always brings a certain relief.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of closing

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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 7 Sep. 2026.

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