1
as in shaking
marked by or given to small uncontrollable bodily movements
the old man's hands were so shaky that I was afraid he'd drop the glass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
results that were arrived at using some shaky experimental procedures
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 shaky
Americans stepped up spending at US retailers earlier this year, a sign some consumers remain resilient despite a shaky economic backdrop.
—
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
For a Phillies team that entered the night needing stability and sitting at the bottom of the NL East after a shaky 1-3 start, the timing couldn’t be better.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Retail stocks showed mixed performance, financials were largely flat, and homebuilders failed to rally meaningfully – signals that economic confidence remains shaky.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Ceballos settled into the game after the shaky first inning.
—Eric Moreno, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
For a Phillies team that entered the night needing stability and sitting at the bottom of the NL East after a shaky 1-3 start, the timing couldn’t be better.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Retail stocks showed mixed performance, financials were largely flat, and homebuilders failed to rally meaningfully – signals that economic confidence remains shaky.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Ceballos settled into the game after the shaky first inning.
—Eric Moreno, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaky
Adjective
-
However merry the mayhem of the movie dorm on Broadway, the sustainability of it all was starting to seem questionable.—
Lena Dunham,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Initially listed as questionable for the game with back spasms, Norman Powell on Sunday morning was downgraded to out because of an upper respiratory illness.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That week’s host, Emily Blunt, did the trembly voice-over.—
Michael Schulman,
The New Yorker,
21 Dec. 2020
Adjective
-
After being handed a fake car from a dubious contest, Castillo filed a real lawsuit against the station for $60,000.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The price of gasoline in June 2022 wins that dubious distinction.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That disputable appraisal turned a few heads, and people began peppering the bot for further remarks on Musk’s physical prowess.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
20 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Amichai Cohen, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute’s Center for Democratic Values and Institutions, said this distinction is problematic.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Woods has always had a complicated reputation, but he’s also widely considered one of the best golfers ever, which means a lot of his problematic behavior has been excused because of his talent and his friendship with the US President.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With key Pistons defenders like Ausar Thompson (ankle), Cade Cunningham (lung), and Isaiah Stewart (calf) sidelined or doubtful, Gilgeous-Alexander has a prime opportunity to exploit the matchup.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Starting center Neemias Queta — who, like Tatum, was listed as questionable against Charlotte before being upgraded before tipoff — is doubtful to play against Atlanta with a right thumb sprain.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Also helping out on Wednesday were Paul Goldschmidt, who clubbed a three-run homer off George Kirby in the sixth inning, and Ben Rice, who smoked a solo shot in the ninth after and before some wobbly work from Yankees relievers Camilo Doval and David Bednar.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Simple adjustments—such as using non‑slip mats, providing low‑entry litter boxes and creating easy access to food and water—can make daily routines much easier for a wobbly cat.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But the coroner did not screen Harold's blood for poisons at the time because his death was not suspicious.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Installing strong antivirus software on your devices can also help block malicious links, detect suspicious downloads and warn you about dangerous websites.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaky. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
