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
The perception problem While filler words can help conversations flow, research suggests overusing them may signal uncertainty or a shaky command of the material (or language in general).
—
Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Trump has not been shy in his belief that tariffs are a necessary cornerstone of his domestic agenda — and coupled with the shaky GDP numbers, the ruling made for a tough day for him.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Gold is about protection, diversification and preserving value when traditional markets feel shaky.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
But Nam's life as a traitor seems shaky at best.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Trump has not been shy in his belief that tariffs are a necessary cornerstone of his domestic agenda — and coupled with the shaky GDP numbers, the ruling made for a tough day for him.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Gold is about protection, diversification and preserving value when traditional markets feel shaky.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
But Nam's life as a traitor seems shaky at best.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaky
Adjective
-
After missing Saturday’s contest, Suggs is considered questionable to play Sunday at Los Angeles.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Now, that tactic seems questionable.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That week’s host, Emily Blunt, did the trembly voice-over.—
Michael Schulman,
The New Yorker,
21 Dec. 2020
Adjective
-
Still, many Hungarians are dubious of Orban’s anti-Ukraine messaging.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
As reviewers have noted, the engine of her Wuthering Heights is not emotion or plot but rather the whiplash created by audiovisual juxtapositions—most of which project the dubious theory that Victorian social rules were equivalent to BDSM.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
That time, a very disputable foul denied him.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This one is a bit more problematic, as the process of power generation is hard.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Feb. 2026
-
However, the Roberts opinion’s refusal to credit the historical novelty of the government’s action may prove problematic in the future.—
Sandeep Gopalan,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Williams is listed as doubtful against the Suns; Shulga is out.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Fellow Finn Roope Hintz is doubtful for Wednesday’s game against Seattle due to illness.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
You might be tempted to keep the pan in the oven longer when the center still appears a little wet and wobbly.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The showing marked a sharp contrast from the 2025 Gala, which had featured less advanced versions of the robots twirling handkerchiefs in a wobbly folk dance.—
Dylan Butts,Matthew Chin,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Gallup poll now departs for the same Valhalla as the big three broadcast networks, bowling leagues, and roast beef for Sunday dinner—institutions that were once almost universally accepted but did not survive in a more divided and mutually suspicious America.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
-
My father was a convenience store owner, so convenience stores were both very familiar to me and at the same time rather suspicious.—
Blake Simons,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaky. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
