SHAKE-UP Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

shake up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake up

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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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 two sisters are shaken up when a mysterious figure (Pace) arrives in their quaint New England town. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026 Year after year, the Global Women’s Summit has brought together women who are shaking up the status quo and reimagining the future. — Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 3 Aug. 2026

Noun

That’d mean a major shake-up in Los Angeles drug territories and a loud threat to the powers that run the drug market in the city at large. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 July 2026 Then came the biggest shake-up in pancreatic cancer care in decades. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up

Verb

The monk-to-entrepreneur pipeline has shocked some of his fans and followers who say making $21 million a year is antithetical to a monk lifestyle.

— Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The last memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington in June shocked many sanctions experts by how much the US gave away to Iran for very little in exchange.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of shock

Verb

He was appalled by the slaughter, but, more than that, by the complacency of his neighbors, their willingness to ignore the bloody work being done under their noses.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Many subjects were appalled by his treatment of his closest family.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026

Definition of appall

Noun

Early in the pandemic, many scientists and much of the public focused on community protection through shutdowns and social distancing, and then by pinning their hopes on what many hoped would be lasting protection from vaccines or prior infection.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced a nationwide state of alert in the energy sector on Friday, and warned that the Danube’s low water levels threatened the shutdown of Cernavoda’s second reactor.

— Justin Spike, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of shutdown

Noun

One of Reiter’s closing observations was that, in his view, nuclear power doesn’t belong on drones and airplanes.

— John Werner, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
The knockout finally arrived in the fourth, with France’s two-run single closing the book on the 25-year-old rookie.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of closing

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shakes up

shake up

shake-up

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“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shake up

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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