as in appalls
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up
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Recent Examples of shakes up
In season 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors, which also stars executive producer Jon Hamm, James makes his debut as Owen Ashe, a charming billionaire whose arrival quickly shakes up Westmont Village.
—
Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Vitello shakes up lineup After mustering just one run and totaling 13 hits en route to being swept by the New York Yankees, rookie manager Tony Vitello shook up his starting lineup by batting shortstop Willy Adames at leadoff and second baseman Luis Arraez at cleanup.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
This warmer weather refresh of chicken and biscuits shakes up both the filling and topping for a lighter and brighter take on the classic.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
But Beijing has done little more than look on as its geopolitical rival shakes up the rules of engagement.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Enter the activity date, which shakes up the routine.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2026
The win shakes up the Oscars race for supporting actress, which prior to Madigan’s Actor Award victory seemed to be in Taylor’s favor.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
But a violent incident shakes up her small community.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
And family time, in the Bode world, also shakes up the well for inspiration.
—Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Vitello shakes up lineup After mustering just one run and totaling 13 hits en route to being swept by the New York Yankees, rookie manager Tony Vitello shook up his starting lineup by batting shortstop Willy Adames at leadoff and second baseman Luis Arraez at cleanup.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
This warmer weather refresh of chicken and biscuits shakes up both the filling and topping for a lighter and brighter take on the classic.
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
But Beijing has done little more than look on as its geopolitical rival shakes up the rules of engagement.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Enter the activity date, which shakes up the routine.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2026
The win shakes up the Oscars race for supporting actress, which prior to Madigan’s Actor Award victory seemed to be in Taylor’s favor.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
But a violent incident shakes up her small community.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
And family time, in the Bode world, also shakes up the well for inspiration.
—Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shakes up
Verb
-
His statement threatening to eradicate an entire civilization shocks the conscience and requires a decisive congressional response.—
Eric McDaniel,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Nolan’s loss to an unknown rookie shocks everyone.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sunday was another game-long display of why Wembanyama horrifies opponents from either side of the ball.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shakes up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shakes%20up. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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