shake out 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake outnext
as in to prove
to come to be after hearing about all the elaborate planning, I can't wait to see how that wedding shakes out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

shakeout

2 of 2

noun

as in shake-up

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 shake out
Verb
Obviously things didn’t shake out that way, but both did make the postseason. — David Troy, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 By halftime, one was at the hospital, and the other was running for his life on every snap while frantically shaking out his throwing hand. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
Tung predicts a multi-year shakeout that will ripple through the LP base, the venture market and even the buyout market, and all at once. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 11 June 2026 Duffy said that as a result of a low-cost carrier like Spirit shutting down, the industry will experience a shakeout where larger carriers that provide better offers and service take complete control. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake out
  1. prove
  2. shake-up
  3. fall out
  4. shutdown
  5. closing
  6. downsizing
Verb
  • The duo bicker, both in person and over the phone, as their uneasy dynamic proves to be the show’s driving force yet again.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Because of their popularity, BTS songs are frequently covered by groups at KCON, but newcomers Santos Bravos, who are under the same parent label, Hybe, had more to prove to this audience.
    — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of prove
Noun
  • Weiss believes the program is in dire need of a shake-up and has to be made more relevant to digital audiences and younger crowds.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The episode goes beyond an internal Kremlin personnel shake-up.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of shake-up
Verb
  • Watching the film of the honeymooners’ seemingly fragile conveyance fall out of the sky and drop like a bird is deeply upsetting.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Walmart shares are down more than 20% from their recent high in May, and the company has fallen out of the $1 trillion club.
    — Kayla Steinberg, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of fall out
Noun
  • An unmanaged shutdown of the Secuda coal-to-liquids plant operated by South African energy company Sasol could wipe $550 million off the country’s $400 billion economy and cost nearly 25,000 jobs, researchers said.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Europe’s physical retail sector has weathered a turbulent stretch, including the shutdown of stores during the pandemic and the rise of online shopping.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of shutdown
Noun
  • Antonelli held on for second for Mercedes after championship rival George Russell was told to let him through in the closing laps.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Edwin Díaz will be used in less-stressful situations upon his return from neck inflammation before potentially resuming closing responsibilities.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of closing
Noun
  • Some models push toward the upper limits of what can reasonably be considered a portable home, while others embrace extreme downsizing.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
  • These tiny laundry room ideas prove that downsizing doesn’t have to mean downgrading your routine.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of downsizing

Browse Nearby Words

shake (off)
shake out
shakeout
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shake out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20out. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of devolve

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All