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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Shelton shook up the lineup before Monday’s game and the Twins (4-6) got some immediate results.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 Apr. 2026
Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
That shake-up was on display within days of starting.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Verb
For some, this could feel like a sudden wave of clarity and courage, encouraging you to shake up routines that have grown stale.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Shelton shook up the lineup before Monday’s game and the Twins (4-6) got some immediate results.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
For some teams, that involves a shake-up in the coaching staff and front office.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
That shake-up was on display within days of starting.
—Brian Womack, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
Verb
-
Spieth, nine holes away from another wire-to-wire victory, throws it away with a collapse around Amen Corner that is shocking even by Augusta National standards.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Viewers were equally shocked at the mishap.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kirby told employees in a memo last month that the carrier would benefit from any shakeout in the industry as part of rising oil and fuel prices, potentially providing purchase opportunities.—
Bloomberg,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Kirby told employees in a memo last month that the carrier would benefit from any shakeout in the industry as part of rising oil and fuel prices, potentially providing purchase opportunities.—
Siddharth Philip,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hiram Crombie is shocked and appalled that Jamie is taking the Trading Post from him and kicking him and the other men off Fraser’s Ridge?—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The proposal appalled the science community and lawmakers.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Levin, typically springy, glowered as Wolf told them about how the shutdown had devastated her life.—
Paula Mejía,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
-
App downloads on one day in March were up more than 600% compared to the daily average over two previous months, The Guardian reported, and shares in the company have increased 50% since the shutdown began.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After the Executive Office of Health and Human Services ordered the removal of tools like pepper gel, handcuffs and batons from the toolbelts of the Tewksbury Security Team specialists at the hospital, officials in Tewksbury were stunned, and immediately sought answers from the state.—
Peter Currier,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
-
DeChambeau, stunned by the shot, turned and looked at his caddie in disbelief.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
School closings There are several school closings in Washtenaw and Wayne counties for Wednesday, including Ann Arbor Public Schools and Ypsilanti Community Schools.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Ball, the Hornets’ star, gave the Hornets the lead for good with a go-ahead layup in the closing seconds of overtime.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
