SHAKES Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

shakes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shake

as in shudders

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the bus rattled and shook as it barreled down a rutted road

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in avoids

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery we shook our pursuers by cutting through the abandoned lot

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shakes

2 of 2

noun

plural of shake

as in shivers

a sense of panic or extreme nervousness I get the shakes every time I hear her voice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 shakes

Verb

One of the early winners, Bo Nickal, shakes his hand and gives the president a shout-out on live TV. — Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Sep. 2026 Across the way, awakening Uranus shakes your 2nd House of Resources, and this opposition asks your personal values to speak up. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026 The Heat could opt to be patient with the 15th standard contract slot and wait to see who shakes free on the buyout market in January and February. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026 While operating, Joseph shakes off the space madness by recalling La’an’s advice. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 But Gregoria shakes her head slightly and fits the warm pack of tortillas into Molly’s hand. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 First, the bat boy shakes his head as Guccione explains why the balk was overturned. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 The Las Vegas spectacle, which opened to the public in August 2025, already blows audiences around with tornado-force wind, shakes them with haptic seats, sends giant winged monkeys flying overhead and drops hundreds of foam apples from the ceiling. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 And the reduced flow of goods through one of the world’s most consequential shipping lanes could create a ripple effect that shakes the world’s economy. — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

The Heat, which is hard-capped, added Nick Richards on a nonguaranteed deal but otherwise seems to be holding onto a spot in case something needle-moving shakes free on the buyout market in the months ahead. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026 Biographers and historians have documented that Stewart suffered from severe psychological trauma, which caused digestive issues, insomnia, nightmares, shakes and sweats. — Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Visitors can try the area’s signature raspberry shakes and stay in waterfront rentals, covered wagons, lodges, or campgrounds. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 Now whey protein is collected during the cheese-making process and lines grocery store aisles in the form of protein powders, shakes and bars. — Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2026 Response to the creamery—its array of luscious ice creams in the form of cups, cones, shakes, floats, and sundaes—exceeded his expectations. — Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026 Brava roofing has dead-ringer good looks for fussy favorites like cedar shakes, slate, and Spanish barrel tile, but the roofing is Class 4 impact-rated, the highest rating given by independent testing labs. — Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026 Bad Daddy’s previously offered a broader lineup of limited-time menu items that included desserts, shakes and appetizers. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026 In addition to coffee, the company serves refreshers, lemonade, iced tea, smoothies, shakes, hot cocoa and sparkling soda. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shakes

Verb

The system shudders a bit and then gets back to normal, like a person stubbing a toe or twisting an ankle faces discomfort and difficulty walking for a while.

— Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The American flag has never been among those Davis shudders to make.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 June 2026

Definition of shudders

Verb

Records from Louisiana Economic Development show that in exchange for SpaceX paying the Vermilion Parish government about $25 million annually, the company avoids paying billions of dollars in property taxes over 25 years.

— Drew Hawkins, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026
Where so many historical novels lean on cliches, Perry avoids them and finds a deeper emotional truth.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of avoids

Noun

The country’s steady release of AI models that are open-source, high-performing, and relatively cheap to build and run has been sending shivers through Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

— Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026
Speaking to Julia Cunningham on her eponymous podcast, Adams says the moment when Cecile realizes her half-sister is the serial killer (while her mom was a plain ol’ one-off manslaughterer) still gives her the shivers.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026

Definition of shivers

Verb

In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026

Definition of jerks

Verb

Neither of those interpretations would be entirely invalid, exactly, and yet The Basics of Philosophy — ironically enough, given its title — mostly evades any such moral didacticism.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Journalists and negotiators follow up when someone evades the point.

— Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of evades

Noun

And this week, the 10-year Treasury yield surged to its highest level in nearly two decades after fresh data on Wednesday pointed to a strong economy and intensifying inflation nerves.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Guests can then calm their heightened nerves at the stately 217 Wine Bar, named after the room where King spent his fateful night.

— Nicholas DeRenzo, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of nerves

Verb

Sound in modern brass instruments, such as French horns, trombones, and trumpets, is produced when the player vibrates their lips against a metal mouthpiece, moving air through the instrument’s tubing.

— Kara Rogers, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Sep. 2026
All of this has to work while the brush head vibrates at 58,000 revs per minute.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026