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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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
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
  • After the sentencing, Lee's wife, Elizabeth Tang, told reporters there is no freedom of speech in Hong Kong and that the sentences would shock and anger many people.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Yemen’s government was shocked by slow Saudi response The Houthis have been attacking Saudi shipping on the Red Sea since declaring a blockade in July, as well as hitting oil infrastructure inside Saudi Arabia.
    — Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 11 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
  • While some praised Galliano’s immeasurable talent as a fashion designer, others were appalled by the choice, given his previous offenses and the rise of antisemitic attacks in New York City and internationally.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Her supporters and longtime Christian collaborators are appalled by the backlash.
    — Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of appall
Noun
  • Last October, during what became the longest government shutdown in American history, the President posted a series of photographs of his renovation of the White House’s Lincoln Bathroom.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That combination of mobility, length and assertiveness fuels belief that Šmits can be a shutdown NHL defender.
    — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of shutdown
Verb
  • Video footage from an AP camera crew shows damage to the building, then stunned and wounded people emerging.
    — Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Suhey, 68, died in his sleep Saturday night, according to multiple teammates who were stunned.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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