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shaken down

verb

past participle of shake down
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 shaken down Law firms are shaken down into submission. — Christopher Bouzy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaken down
  1. cheated
  2. squeezed
  3. plucked
  4. stung
  5. beaten
  6. ripped off
  7. stuck
  8. done
Verb
  • The producers’ suit appeared to sputter out in 2022, when a judge ruled that they were not cheated out of profits and that AMC had sued a standard definition.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The Times has interviewed more than a dozen clients and investors who said they were cheated by Holdo.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheated
Verb
  • With Hamas squeezed, Netanyahu asked the Qataris to commit to official monthly payments to Gaza.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
  • News organizations large and small are being squeezed like never before.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of squeezed
Verb
  • Those also turned to boos on Strand’s first NFL pass, which Horn deflected and Lloyd plucked out of the air at close range.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026
  • According to Anderson, a key part of the Patriots’ winning formula was Brady’s sense that Belichick had plucked him from obscurity.
    — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of plucked
Verb
  • As solitary insects with limited aggression towards humans, the risk of getting stung is often not worth your direct interference.
    — Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Two years is a long time in the NFL, yet that wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles still stung in the building.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of stung
Verb
  • Nick Martinez worked five efficient innings for his 15th win, Jonny DeLuca was 2 for 4 with an RBI double, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Athletics 4-3 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The Dodgers maintained their division lead at nine games even after the Padres beat the Rockies Thursday afternoon.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of beaten
Verb
  • The All-Pro tight end ripped off an electric 59-yard catch-and-run down the sideline to officially pass Jason Witten (13,046) for second place on the NFL's all-time receiving yards list for tight ends.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The bear ripped off the window screen, fully opened the window and came into the room, the agency said.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of ripped off
Verb
  • Now my guy is stuck in an insane asylum with a doctor who seems downright giddy to try out some electroshock therapy.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
  • But the Pentagon’s internal investigation has been stuck in limbo for months.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of stuck
Verb
  • Instead of calling for calm and letting the justice system work, too many political leaders on the left and progressive social influencers either fanned the flames of unrest or failed to act until enormous damage was done.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This being a French line and a bilingual ship, everything is done once in French, then translated to English.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of done

Browse Nearby Words

shaken a leg
shaken down
shaken (off)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shaken down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaken%20down. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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