as in squeezes
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 down
Later, Tom pours vodka into a Phillies cup and watches birds flutter by at night while Robbie gets his guns ready and shakes down a trap house.
—
Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shakes down
Verb
-
And now, one such creation slithers, squeezes, and twists through the narrowest corners.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The surgeon withdraws the balloon and then squeezes the implant in through a sterile funnel before closing the incision.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Still, losing out on more seasons of Zoë Kravitz playing a lovably bisexual mess navigating New York City particularly stings.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The right to due process is enshrined in both the federal and Massachusetts Constitutions, so any accusation otherwise stings.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The dog jumps up and plucks the burger from her—a move that left viewers stunned and amused by the canine's flawless execution.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
There may be even greater reasons to put an ad that plucks the heartstrings in front of a broader crowd.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Linda hustles the two of them to a nearby motel whose only employees are a surly young goth attendant (a glowering Ivy Wolk) and a sympathetic, mildly flirty super (A$AP Rocky, laidback and breezy).—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
-
For somebody who’d allegedly prefer a life of leisure, Phoebe Robinson sure hustles.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Chinese exports growth beats expectations.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The nature of his creation may be horrific, but his heart beats the same as ours.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Robbie and Jayson have a furious battle, but Jayson sticks the fatal knife stab before fleeing.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The cast delivers in terms of performances, and Ashleigh Cummings sticks the landing as the protagonist who must turn her abductors against each other in order to get out alive.—
Vanessa Maki,
Vulture,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Or are those simply screws Vrabel’s staff will tighten with more time and practice?—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Milwaukee does the little things, and is opportunistic and fundamentally sound.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
-
So does Stagier Bar, with creations like dumplings filled with lomo saltado, a Peruvian dish of sautéed beef that hints at the chef Joel Baeza’s Latin American roots.—
Emilio Parra Doiztua,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shakes down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shakes%20down. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share