1
as in shuddered
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
the bus rattled and shook as it barreled down a rutted road
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in escaped
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
we shook our pursuers by cutting through the abandoned lot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shaken
The spa deserves a mention, as does Frank’s Bar, where cocktails are shaken to a backdrop of paintings by Victorian botanical artist, Marianne North, and velveteen bar stools overlook far-reaching views across the land.
—
Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Most have found their way, educated themselves, and shaken off horrible memories, negative self-images, and bad relationships that happened for the wrong reasons.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
The incident left the community shaken.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
With confidence in crypto shaken, some analysts warn bitcoin could slide further if the selling continues.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
White House border czar Tom Homan announced Wednesday that 700 federal immigration agents would leave Minneapolis after a month-long enforcement surge that has shaken the city and left two people dead.
—Philip Wang, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
London — Britain’s political class is being shaken by a scandal the scale of which typically comes around only once in a generation, and the man at the heart of it was once seen as the savior of the party that is currently in power.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Over that year, Dončić has shaken off the shell shock.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Three hours later, I was shaken awake.
—Erin Austen Abbott, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Most have found their way, educated themselves, and shaken off horrible memories, negative self-images, and bad relationships that happened for the wrong reasons.
—Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
The incident left the community shaken.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
With confidence in crypto shaken, some analysts warn bitcoin could slide further if the selling continues.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
White House border czar Tom Homan announced Wednesday that 700 federal immigration agents would leave Minneapolis after a month-long enforcement surge that has shaken the city and left two people dead.
—Philip Wang, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
London — Britain’s political class is being shaken by a scandal the scale of which typically comes around only once in a generation, and the man at the heart of it was once seen as the savior of the party that is currently in power.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
Over that year, Dončić has shaken off the shell shock.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Three hours later, I was shaken awake.
—Erin Austen Abbott, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaken
Verb
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No one spoke until Chuky shuddered his head and this time without laughing said, Shit, that’s crazy.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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East Denver sushi fans shuddered in late December when Okinawa Japanese Cuisine, a mainstay on Colfax Avenue since 2010, closed and boarded up its doors with brown paper.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That season’s squad, which had gone to the NIT three straight years, escaped the non-conference schedule with a record of 9-2.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
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The rescue came about after Jordan Turpin — who was 17 at the time — escaped from the home and told authorities about their captivity and abuse.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The two stood nose-to-nose on the field when the Steelers player grabbed onto Chase’s facemask, jerked his head and appeared to punch him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Surprisingly, among the more than 1,000 recipes published in the past 25 years of columns and cookbooks, a true, crisp and delicious almond cookie recipe had evaded me until now.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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After the fall of Tripoli, Saif al-Islam Gadhafi evaded capture for several months before being detained in November 2011 by a militia in the western Libyan city of Zintan.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Mavericks team doctor later confirmed that Davis avoided surgery to repair the damage.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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Chapek had initially avoided wading into the discourse, taking a neutral position that became untenable after Iger drew a line in the sand.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The pair swayed together before exchanging a kiss as the dancers surrounding them cheered and applauded.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
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Seattle Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald swayed with his eyes closed while New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stood tall with a hand over his heart.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaken. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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