as in cheated
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
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Recent Examples of shaken down
Law firms are shaken down into submission.
—
Christopher Bouzy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Christopher Bouzy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaken down
Verb
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That’s the kind of corporate doublespeak that makes consumers feel cheated and disrespected.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Schiller is a man who cheated death and whose harrowing ordeal is dramatized by actor Tony Shalhoub in a recent movie.—
Troy Roberts,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sudhir Srivastava, vice president of the Noida Entrepreneurs Association, said manufacturers were being squeezed from multiple directions.—
Mayu Saini,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Bottom line Private credit’s share of overall financing in the US economy has grown, and when that growth slows or stops, small businesses with few other options get squeezed.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Beaufort, North Carolina This fishing village with century-old homes, idyllic marinas, and pristine beaches could be plucked from a vintage postcard.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
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With its cast of characters essentially plucked from Fugard’s early life in Port Elizabeth, the play introduces Hally (a stand-in for Fugard) at a crossroads.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many hospital systems in Connecticut have stopped suing their patients over unpaid bills, stung by criticism about the harm caused by aggressive collection tactics.—
Noam N. Levey,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
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People have reported severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, after being stung by the ant.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In footage posted to X by Mayor Eric Adams on Friday, dozens of bystanders can be seen filming as Jaden is savagely beaten, when one of his attackers draws a firearm and shoots him at point-blank range.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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LeBron James finishes with 41 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, and the Cleveland Cavaliers set an NBA postseason record by erasing a 25-point halftime deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 119-114 and take a 3-0 lead.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The front of the building is ripped off.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
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Pictures the sheriff's office shared show the inside paneling ripped off from all doors.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Train 98, part of the Silver Meteor route between Miami and New York, was forced to stop near Jacksonville, leaving some passengers stuck onboard for extended periods.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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This is what a supply shortage looks like in practice — not just higher prices, but households stuck in between, unsure which path to pursue.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kennywood Park To celebrate the anniversary of the Whip, the park said that the ride had some new painting work done over the offseason, including new logos on the cars commemorating the 100th anniversary.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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That path isn’t easy or certain, but Hungary has proved it can be done.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaken down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaken%20down. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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