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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns shakes hands with his father Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes after the Cleveland Browns Training Camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2026 in Berea, Ohio. — Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 31 July 2026 The other is praying an elite center from another team shakes free. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 21 July 2026 Consider paintings like Caracalla, where the titular emperor treads a trail of rose petals; or In a Rose Garden, where a woman shakes the petals of a rose bush down on her companion; and the extravaganza of The Roses of Heliogabalus. — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2026 Dollar Tree quietly stocks shelf-stable protein shakes, protein bars and cheese sticks that can round out a breakfast or refuel a busy afternoon without straining a tight budget. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026 Shelf-stable protein shakes worth stocking Shelf-stable protein shakes are one of the easiest ways to add protein to a busy day, and Dollar Tree carries a couple of options that don’t require refrigeration until opened. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026 Now, a ritual for expectant parents who are prepping for a momentous life change and want to squeeze in a little rest, relaxation, and quiet time before the baby comes and shakes things up! — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 15 July 2026 There’s one scene where Claudia’s putting on lipstick and her hand shakes when Louis is talking. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 July 2026 That’s it; however, Microsoft shakes things up a bit with lower-potency consumer varieties of each at lower prices. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026

Noun

Try adding a few shakes of cinnamon or pumpkin spice blend for warm and cozy notes, or stir in a few drops of almond or vanilla extract. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2026 Customers can also order shakes and iced coffee drinks as well as mini churros, donut bites and other desserts. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 Since its inception in North Carolina in 1989, Cook Out has been serving burgers, BBQ, chicken, hot dogs, shakes and more. — Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026 The company produces a range of lactose-free products — which beyond milk, includes protein shakes. — Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 Built on volume and consistency Beyond cones, Handel’s offers hurricanes, shakes, sundaes and specialty creations that turn a quick stop into a full dessert event. — Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026 Shelf-stable protein shakes worth stocking Shelf-stable protein shakes are one of the easiest ways to add protein to a busy day, and Dollar Tree carries a couple of options that don’t require refrigeration until opened. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026 Customers can choose from seven beverage categories, including coffee, energy drinks, fizz sodas, teas, lemonades, smoothies and shakes. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 July 2026 Federal officers stand over a man with a bloody shirt who is handcuffed face down, moaning in pain as his left foot shakes. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shakes

Verb

The American flag has never been among those Davis shudders to make.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Nothing much really happens in this movie after Philip’s initial arrest, but the world viscerally shudders under Lucy’s feet every time one of her husband’s alibis falls apart.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 May 2026

Definition of shudders

Verb

Jones hopes the study finds improvements to the current system Charlotte Water works under, and that the state avoids overinvesting into industries that take up a lot of water such as data centers.

— Zaire Breedlove, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
Assigning responsibility for each bill upfront avoids awkward money moments later.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of avoids

Noun

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
Judith claims to be a forensic accountant, but is actually a career assassin whose very name sends shivers of fear through her enemies and ones of excitement through her admirers.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 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

This skin-crawling faux-documentary concerns a prolific New York serial killer who evades capture despite recording his brazen crimes.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
However, Noussair Mazraoui evades Casemiro’s challenge far too easily before Bilal El Khannouss releases Achraf Hakimi on the far side.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of evades

Noun

Doing the same motion constantly can wear down muscles, nerves or tendons, causing a repetitive strain injury, per Cleveland Clinic.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026
Tests revealed a herniated disk, which impacted nerves in Jones’ back and caused numbness in his leg.

— Joseph Person, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of nerves

Verb

Nevertheless, Bonnie’s doting parents hope that Lilypad will help Bonnie make friends, oblivious to how the gizmo — and soon, their daughter — vibrates with anxiety.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
The household hums with collective energy and vibrates with handiwork, intention, love.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026

Definition of vibrates

Verb

The results highlight just how broad America's autumn appeal has become, stretching from classic New England escapes to Rocky Mountain landscapes and Pacific Northwest river gorges.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Odysseus escapes the attack aboard his lone remaining ship, sailing on to the island of the sorceress Circe.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026