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
In the weeks that followed, Sampson says the experience left her shaken.
—
Mike Winters, CNBC, 9 May 2026
Regulars shaken by violence Many customers returned to the bar on Thursday morning to check on staff and each other.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 8 May 2026
There is a lot of faith in last year’s expansion club, but the potential draft-day flub of trading away Flau’jae Johnson has shaken some of that.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The death of a young Massachusetts dirt biker at practice has shaken the motocross community, and advocates are calling for the passage of a state law aimed at improving safety measures at tracks.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
The Lightning have shaken some of their recent playoff struggles in the series.
—Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Bake until lemon curd is set but still jiggles slightly when gently shaken, 18–24 minutes.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
After their beloved, but toxic, friend group is shaken to its core by one couple's split and their friend's death, the six adults have to figure out a way to move on.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Almost overnight, countries that had long outsourced their energy security to autocrats found their supplies cut, and their economies shaken.
—Jennifer Granholm, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Mike Winters, CNBC, 9 May 2026
Regulars shaken by violence Many customers returned to the bar on Thursday morning to check on staff and each other.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 8 May 2026
There is a lot of faith in last year’s expansion club, but the potential draft-day flub of trading away Flau’jae Johnson has shaken some of that.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
The death of a young Massachusetts dirt biker at practice has shaken the motocross community, and advocates are calling for the passage of a state law aimed at improving safety measures at tracks.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
The Lightning have shaken some of their recent playoff struggles in the series.
—Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Bake until lemon curd is set but still jiggles slightly when gently shaken, 18–24 minutes.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
After their beloved, but toxic, friend group is shaken to its core by one couple's split and their friend's death, the six adults have to figure out a way to move on.
—Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Almost overnight, countries that had long outsourced their energy security to autocrats found their supplies cut, and their economies shaken.
—Jennifer Granholm, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaken
Verb
-
At least the elevator still creaked and shuddered, as in the old days, finally trembling open on the eighth floor.—
Rick Bragg,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Later, when Tristan gently put his hand on Marke’s shoulder, the king shuddered.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last night, the Knicks barely escaped over the 76ers, and the Spurs blew out the Timberwolves.—
David Troy,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
In another case, a female monkey escaped her cage due to a welding failure, according to the inspection report.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The plane jerked to a stop as two trucks passed just feet in front of its nose.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2026
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We are jerked between past and present as his backstory gets filled in, one jogged memory at a time.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ilango had successfully evaded the decades-old impossibility result.—
Ben Brubaker,
Quanta Magazine,
11 May 2026
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The Knicks have found the very consistency that’s evaded them in the past.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Catalan-Torreblanca had previously avoided the database because his only prior criminal history was a misdemeanor DUI arrest, which does not require a DNA swab, according to authorities.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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The Supreme Court announcing the VRA decision closer to the end of its term next month could have avoided this 11th-hour frenzy.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Ultimately, the bond market is sending a message about the economy, and it isn’t swayed by trendy narratives, Malek said.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
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Trump condemned Roberts and the five other justices who ruled against him on tariffs and made an unsubstantiated claim that the court was swayed by foreign interests.—
Andrew Chung,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaken. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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