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
The pilot assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in Miramar, California, is seen with his face bloodied and appearing a little shaken up in the body camera footage released Friday by the Yakima County Sheriff's Office. — Jennifer Watts, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 Chisholm was shaken up after trying to field Dominic Canzone's infield single in the ninth, but the second baseman remained in the game and followed with a terrific defensive play. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
Costanza's removal comes amid a broader shake-up of the military's senior ranks, with more than two dozen high-ranking officers removed or sidelined under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, often without public explanation. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 The latest layoffs come just weeks after another major shake-up for the station. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 6 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
  • On Monday June 29, a bomb exploded on the doorstep of Yermolaiev’s luxury apartment in Monaco, gravely injuring the Ukrainian millionaire and shocking residents of the wealthy city state.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Fans were thus shocked when Jillian filed for divorce in January 2015.
    — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 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
  • Plenty of adults were appalled, but punk had a powerful influence on fashion, filmmaking and graphic design as well as rock music – well beyond punk itself.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Residents and board members alike said they were appalled at the practice.
    — Kathy McCormack, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of appall
Noun
  • An unmanaged shutdown of the Secuda coal-to-liquids plant operated by South African energy company Sasol could wipe $550 million off the country’s $400 billion economy and cost nearly 25,000 jobs, researchers said.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Europe’s physical retail sector has weathered a turbulent stretch, including the shutdown of stores during the pandemic and the rise of online shopping.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of shutdown
Verb
  • Innanen stuns as Paul Baker — full name all the time — a Canadian newcomer to the group who becomes integral to his friends’ emotional processing all while operating as the resident Gen-Z eye candy.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The final price tag stunned the industry and reflected a confluence of factors inside and outside San Diego.
    — Dennis Lin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of stun
Noun
  • Antonelli held on for second for Mercedes after championship rival George Russell was told to let him through in the closing laps.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Edwin Díaz will be used in less-stressful situations upon his return from neck inflammation before potentially resuming closing responsibilities.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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