shake down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake downnext
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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shakedown

2 of 2

noun

1
as in bunk

Related Words
2
as in test

Related Words
3
as in reconnaissance

Related 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 down
Verb
Federal prosecutors, however, are alleging a complex plot to not only shake down Edens but also to hide evidence from the FBI. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026 This brainstorm is aimed at shaking down travel booking platforms. — Susan Shelley, Daily News, 13 May 2026
Noun
Implied in the shakedown of Meta is that before Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, life for teens and those adjacent to that age range was of a blissful nature. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The submarine then spent several months in shakedown operations, testing, and evaluation to check its systems and performance. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
  1. cheat
  2. bunk
  3. test
  4. reconnaissance
  5. squeeze
  6. hammock
  7. rehearsal
  8. search
Verb
  • Honestly, Trump’s attempt to cheat by pressuring states to simply disenfranchise Democrats may go down in history as one of the greatest political self-owns of all time — right behind that Ramaswamy ad.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Later on, after the guests have left, this cheating convention makes Kaylee nervous.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • The well-size main bedroom has leafy views and another decorative fireplace, although the person doing the listing’s photos has oddly chosen to hide it behind a bed; the second bedroom can easily handle a bunk-bed situation plus a sideboard.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The 19th century is long gone; phrenology is and was always bunk—so what lesson can the specimens teach me?
    — Daniel Barnum, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bunk
Noun
  • The two tests indicate that Pyongyang is working on dispersal warheads for both tactical ballistic missiles and strategic cruise missiles.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • APIs allow researchers to automate prompts, standardize experiments, collect responses and large volumes of data, as well as test models at scale, making results easier to compare and reproduce.
    — Katie McQue, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of test
Noun
  • Under this concept, armed forces aim to coordinate multiple VICTOR drones into autonomous swarms capable of dividing surveillance, reconnaissance, and transport missions in real time.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In April, Russia launched a fleet of small satellites into an orbit close to a commercial radar remote sensing satellite owned by ICEYE that provides reconnaissance imagery to Ukraine.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of reconnaissance
Verb
  • The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil artery between Iran and Oman, has sent oil and gas prices on the uptick, squeezing Americans at home.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Drain collard greens and squeeze gently to remove excess water.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • Paddling, hiking or staying overnight at the Orlando-area’s outdoor gems showcases Florida’s unique habitats, including pine flatwoods, wetlands, hydric hammocks, scrubs, and open prairies.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Is Maggie gonna randomly saunter into Tribal Council with her stinky hammock and two more extra votes?
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hammock
Noun
  • The full dress rehearsals were performed twice in late October, drawing spectators along both sides of the river.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In June of 2025, Bob went to Lithuania to stage rehearsals of a new production and then to Ljubljana, Slovenia, to direct Tristan and Isolde.
    — Keith McDermott, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of rehearsal
Noun
  • Workers combine smaller packfiles into larger groups, reducing download overhead and speeding up repository history searches.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Between all the father-son dynamics dancing around the eight scheduled episodes, being hunted down by mercs, and his transcendent search for meaning, Vision and his saga are hopefully headed to a peaceful end.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of search

Browse Nearby Words

shake a leg
shake down
shakedown
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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