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

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 Miami likely will hold off on signing a 15th player to a standard contract, at least for now, in order to see who shakes free in the buyout market. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 BODi also sells a range of supplements, including protein powders, shakes, and other products intended to support different wellness goals. — Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 24 Aug. 2026 As to whether Sassnitz shakes off its nicknames from last year, that partly depends on what happens this weekend. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

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 Grocery aisles are stacked with bars, shakes and powders that promise to fix your diet in one scoop. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 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 With more than 700 locations across the United States, the franchise sells coffee, energy drinks, fizzy sodas, lemonades, teas, shakes and smoothies. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 30 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

If someone has expressed mild interest but repeatedly avoids taking a concrete next step, continuing to dedicate substantial resources to that opportunity can become expensive.

— Brian Ferdinand, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
The roommates’ construction paper method avoids that contact entirely, which is what sets their approach apart from most temporary wall treatments.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 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

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

In deep money trouble with local mob boss Abu Rabih (Haytham Chamass), Hamza is all bristly nerves, always a hair’s breadth from falling apart, and, for the other characters and the audience alike, perhaps the riskiest element of the scheme.

— Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
That are, again, all spoken at the same time, in a manner that could grate the nerves coming from the hands of any other filmmaker, but Herzog is entirely sincere and irony-free in his handling.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026