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

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shakeout

2 of 2

noun

as in shake-up

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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
Take everything out, shake out the crumbs, and wipe the inside with a sanitizing cloth. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026 Leaving no pizza stone unturned, the results usually shake out as a healthy mix of the usual suspects and the odd dark horse, with the number one spot on the 2026 list snatched by a first-time world champion in West London. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
However, the industry recently faced a significant shakeout, with many firms collapsing amid platform crackdowns. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The industry has weathered a brutal shakeout, with major operators merging, downsizing or shutting down entirely. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 17 June 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
  • At every opportunity, Chris Brown seemed to be waiting in the wings, backflipping in Ne-Yo’s face, proving his dream of a certain era was long gone.
    — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
  • None of this means that Miller’s forecast will prove the most accurate in the days to come.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of prove
Noun
  • Hours after Apple unveiled the biggest shake-up to its iPhone release cadence in seven years — including its first foldable phone — Samsung rolled out a campaign aimed squarely at iPhone loyalists.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The development provokes a leadership shake-up on both committees, prompting speculation on who will fill the spots when the next Congress opens in January.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of shake-up
Verb
  • That was true until last week, when Ukraine reported a throttling of the Starshield network that was causing its drones to stop midflight and fall out of the sky.
    — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • After the deputy arrived at the scene and the two men began talking, a gun fell out of Reaves’ pants, officials said.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall out
Noun
  • But in the end, too many obstacles got in the way, including the government shutdown and the Pineapple Express storm in December 2025 that damaged one of the ski lifts.
    — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The post from Arc announcing its shutdown has faced significant pushback from users who claim Dia isn't as useful to them, with many asking the brand to open-source its original browser.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of shutdown
Noun
  • Israeli troops took positions throughout the city and sealed it off from the rest of the territory for a second day, closing gates and checkpoints to Palestinian drivers.
    — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Vogelsong-Parvin, in her closing argument, contended that Nakira did not act like a grieving parent.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of closing
Noun
  • McQueen is parting ways with creative director Seán McGirr after an uneven three-year collaboration, and amid a substantial retrenchment of the business involving layoffs and a downsizing of the retail network.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That can include a homeowner using proceeds from the sale of another property, a retiree downsizing, an individual investor, a landlord, a developer or a company that purchases homes directly from owners.
    — Ascend Agency, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of downsizing

Browse Nearby Words

shake (off)
shake out
shakeout
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Cite this Entry

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

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