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
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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
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This liner then rapidly squeezes a magnetized target, creating the intense heat and pressure needed for fusion to occur, the same process that powers the sun.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
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Keeping tires properly inflated not only extends their life but also squeezes more miles out of every charge—a win for the wallet and the planet.—
Melanie Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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For somebody who’d allegedly prefer a life of leisure, Phoebe Robinson sure hustles.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Vegas beats itself with Geno Smith interceptions.—
Greg Cote
October 9,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
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Peg beats Mel at most of the games because of her extensive experience in law enforcement.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Inside the furnace, a reaction takes place that rips the oxygen from the silica and sticks it to the carbon from the wood.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Or are those simply screws Vrabel’s staff will tighten with more time and practice?—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rarely does a 29-page scholarly paper merit the attention of top-level executives, but every business leader should be familiar with a recent study from OpenAI.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
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Another big sales behemoth, Walmart also does quite a bit to maintain discounts competitive with Prime Day deals across all categories.—
Melissa Knific,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shakes down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shakes%20down. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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