as in shocked
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up
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Recent Examples of shaken up
Chewy Bolivian cuñapes are shaken up with the aromatic flavors of garlic bread.
—
Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
Practical Magic 2 sees the lives of sisters Sally Owens (Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Kidman) shaken up when a mysterious figure (Lee Pace) arrives in their quaint New England town with a new quest for them.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
These incidents are part of a larger break-in problem that has shaken up San Fernando Valley residents over the last year.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Hill said the driver and passengers are very shaken up by the incident.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Parts of its product line also get periodically shaken up, with seasonal finds and other favorites being introduced or withdrawn, but customers can count on the staples in our basket.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The association said the deaths of the two young aviators have shaken up the industry.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
However, the show has shaken up the format before, choosing to swap the order of Benedict and Colin’s stories.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
During his pontificate, Francis had shaken up the College of Cardinals – the body that would appoint his successor.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
Practical Magic 2 sees the lives of sisters Sally Owens (Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Kidman) shaken up when a mysterious figure (Lee Pace) arrives in their quaint New England town with a new quest for them.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
These incidents are part of a larger break-in problem that has shaken up San Fernando Valley residents over the last year.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Hill said the driver and passengers are very shaken up by the incident.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Parts of its product line also get periodically shaken up, with seasonal finds and other favorites being introduced or withdrawn, but customers can count on the staples in our basket.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The association said the deaths of the two young aviators have shaken up the industry.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
However, the show has shaken up the format before, choosing to swap the order of Benedict and Colin’s stories.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
During his pontificate, Francis had shaken up the College of Cardinals – the body that would appoint his successor.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaken up
Verb
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Neighbors were shocked after the shooting, saying the area is normally a safe place for young people.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Even some prominent conservatives were shocked by Gorka’s return.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When to see a doctor Ashamalla stressed that people shouldn’t be frightened by every ache or pain.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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The marsupial escaped from Sunshine Farm in Necedah, a village about 90 miles away from Madison, on March 25, after being frightened by barking dogs, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Three Grammy wins, a Men’s Health cover and 275 pounds later, the blood draw that scared him most turned out to be the decision that saved his life.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2026
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The coyote grabbed the boy and took him to the ground before a nearby adult rushed over and scared the animal away.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaken up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaken%20up. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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