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
Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Cipriani followed this script in his effort to shake down Jeff Shell.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Principally, Artemis 2 was a test flight of Orion's life support systems and a shakedown cruise to verify that the craft can sustain a crew during a mission to lunar space.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Verb
The city hired a second firm to represent Watts, as the city was legally responsible for covering legal judgments against him despite his federal prison sentence for shaking down a drug courier.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Cipriani followed this script in his effort to shake down Jeff Shell.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
Inspired by mishaps on an Alaskan adventure of their own, and the sliding top-over-bottom action of hat and match boxes, the Halls started building their prototype in 1953 and took it for an official Alaskan shakedown in 1957.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Principally, Artemis 2 was a test flight of Orion's life support systems and a shakedown cruise to verify that the craft can sustain a crew during a mission to lunar space.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
-
The fans were cheated Sunday out of a chance to see an interesting pitching matchup between Shota Imanaga and Dylan Cease, the former Cubs farmhand and former White Sox pitcher.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
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For example, a spouse who catches their partner cheating and kills someone in the heat of emotion.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
Noun
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This meant that men and women couldn't share beds, and the girls would have to bunk with one another.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
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There's also a bunk room with three twin beds and a full bed (and a private bathroom, with a huge bathtub).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Jeromy Smith Jeromy Douglas Smith, 32, of Rosamond, was a flight test engineer assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
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Teachers use it as a behavioral bargaining chip, administrators weigh playtime against sagging test scores and researchers argue over how best to structure the minutes.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
The interpreter and the scout reconnaissance leader were fast friends.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
-
Ukrainian drones now provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance while simultaneously delivering precision strike capabilities against Russian personnel and equipment.—
Hunter LaCroix,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Blend roasted red peppers with V8, and add Worcestershire sauce and freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice for a fresh alternative to bottled bloody mary mix.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
20 June 2026
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With electric vehicles continuing to gain share, that further squeezes European carmakers.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Noun
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Visitors can experience Botany Bay’s gorgeous natural ecosystems that include maritime forests, salt marsh, tidal creeks, freshwater ponds, and hammock islands.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
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Guests get bathhouses, mineral water pools and cliffside hammocks with sweeping views.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Can’t wait to see the TikToks during rehearsals.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
19 June 2026
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Often, those sequences took days and days of prep and rehearsal, which Angie arranged.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
Noun
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McKenna's death gained national attention after her disappearance in the middle of the night set off a frantic search for the teenager.—
Angela George,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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In 2022, federal agents found a pistol and 60 grams of marijuana in a search of Hemani's home.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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