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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake-up
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
In a surprising shake-up, Boulos was actually assigned to escort Princess Kate during the official procession into the banquet.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Students still unlikely to vote, except for president But so far, Kirk’s death hasn’t shaken up this year's race for Virginia's governor.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Verb
House Democrats also face a major wave of retirements and turnover for higher offices following the party’s major loss in 2024, which will lead to a shake-up in the makeup of both sides of the aisle in the House.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
In a surprising shake-up, Boulos was actually assigned to escort Princess Kate during the official procession into the banquet.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
Fubo shareholders have approved a deal with Disney to merge its business with the video service Hulu With Live TV to shake up the streaming TV business.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Students still unlikely to vote, except for president But so far, Kirk’s death hasn’t shaken up this year's race for Virginia's governor.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake-up
Verb
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Alfred Hitchcock's classic, which revolutionized and shocked Hollywood in equal measure, was famously adapted from a novel that was based on the case of Ed Gein by American writer Robert Bloch.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
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In August, David was in a video that shocked the world and drew commentary from the White House.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But while fans eagerly await the leaderboard's final shakeout, one name has already slipped from contention: Robert MacIntyre.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Sep. 2025
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All-Terrain Testing My first run in the shoe was a short 5k shakeout on the roads around downtown Chamonix.—
Will Porter,
Outside,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What's without question is that the longer a shutdown continues, the more pressure will be brought on essential services going to vulnerable people and federal workers getting along (either on the job or not) without pay.—
Todd Spangler,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Health care talks plant seeds to resolve shutdown Federal subsidies for people to participate in the Affordable Care Act, which is nicknamed Obamacare, are expiring at the end of the year.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After going public together on social media, the pair have elicited strong reactions from people in their comments — some appalled by their age gap and others who quickly jump to their defense.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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Hollywood leaders were astonished; free speech groups were appalled; and the episode triggered a multi-day news cycle about free speech and corporate capitulation to political pressure.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The full composition of the ownership group is expected to be finalized by the closing of the deal, which could come in early 2026.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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In addition, Zacapa, the premium main sponsor of spirits at LAFS, will once again present the Visionary of the Year Award during the summit’s closing cocktail ceremony.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The industry was stunned when Colorado inked former National League MVP Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract after the 2021 season.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … OUT OF NOWHERE – Driver stunned when a surprise visitor makes a sudden appearance.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake-up. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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