as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in bunk
Related Words
2
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake down
David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
But in years past, many cases reviewed by CNN involved scam artists who sought to shake down immigrants for cash under threat of deportation.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Just as Artemis 1 was designed as an uncrewed shakedown of Orion during an extended spaceflight, Artemis 2 is a test flight to confirm that the spacecraft can sustain a crew in deep space.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Verb
Julian dispatches Ares and his deputy, Athena (an imperious Jodie Turner-Smith), to the physical world, ordering them to shake down Eve for information about Flynn’s code.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
But in years past, many cases reviewed by CNN involved scam artists who sought to shake down immigrants for cash under threat of deportation.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
The Mexican Mafia, Aryan Brotherhood and other gangs have long trafficked drugs, alcohol and, in more recent years, phones, which allow inmates to carry out shakedowns, gambling rackets and killings on the streets of L.A. County.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Just as Artemis 1 was designed as an uncrewed shakedown of Orion during an extended spaceflight, Artemis 2 is a test flight to confirm that the spacecraft can sustain a crew in deep space.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
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Over the past year, men’s ski jumping has been marred by Norway’s cheating scandal and more recent genital manipulation rumors, which has become one of the early commotions of the Milano-Cortina Games.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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Among the reasons Belichick was not inducted are his involvement in cheating scandals, such as Spygate and Deflategate, according to ESPN.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Elsewhere, the children’s bunkroom pairs two built-in bunks with two captain’s beds tucked in their own alcoves.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
6 Feb. 2026
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Even as water started seeping into the cabins scattered along the riverbank, Edward Eastland insisted the campers stay put and climb to the top bunks, the lawsuit says.—
Hayley Walker,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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With initial tests scheduled by the end of 2026, the partnership aims to achieve operational functionality in the first two years, followed by further development and expansion.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
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Nissen and his fellow researchers’ test subjects took around 45 minute naps on average.—
Hunter Boyce,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Reports revealed that the weapon was showcased with Supercam S350 drone designed for target reconnaissance and target designation and the Planshet-A artillery fire control automation package.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command in Warsaw said in posts to social media that NATO warplanes were scrambled while air defense systems and radar reconnaissance were ordered to the highest level of readiness amid Russia's Friday night strikes.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Impacciatore, squeezed into a skin-tight Power Rangers suit, performed an entire clowning routine where she’s accosted by abstract embodiments of various winter sports throughout history.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
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Sometimes, producers work with players to squeeze their take into the allotted time.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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All guests have access to an array of amenities, including beach hammocks, tennis courts, a library, freshwater pool and spa.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
6 Feb. 2026
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Navigate a scenic hydric hammock to find where the orange trail meets with a short yellow loop, which enters a wetlands environment where cypress knees begin to emerge from the ground.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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During early rehearsals of a pivotal coatroom scene, Kaplow recalls flagging that Hawke was touching his scene partner too often.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
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Seeing a therapist or embracing therapeutic techniques, like a stress rehearsal, can keep fear from taking hold.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The network previously confirmed that Guthrie would be exiting its Olympics coverage amid the search for her mother.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
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Five days into the desperate search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest, said Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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