1
as in jerked
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
the bus rattled and shook as it barreled down a rutted road
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in avoided
to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery
we shook our pursuers by cutting through the abandoned lot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shook
The earthquake shook at a depth of just 3 miles, with its epicenter roughly 4 miles northwest of Pinnacles.
—
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Breakers shook off early losses to Mater Dei and San Clemente to set the school record for most wins in a regular season.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Witnesses described it as a loud, metallic groaning that shook the ground and rolled across the desert like the echo of something ancient awakening beneath the earth.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The next day, another leadership change shook the Fortune 500.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
The king also met and shook hands with LGBTQ+ veterans during the ceremony.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 27 Oct. 2025
Nearly two years later, there’s still evidence at the crime scene that shook this small island country — ash on jutting rocks, melted scraps of plastic and fabric scattered in the verdant shrubbery where wild dogs stalk giant lizards.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
Defensive end Logan Lutui shook his head to disagree.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Smith came up to Sharpe and shook his hand.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Breakers shook off early losses to Mater Dei and San Clemente to set the school record for most wins in a regular season.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Witnesses described it as a loud, metallic groaning that shook the ground and rolled across the desert like the echo of something ancient awakening beneath the earth.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
The next day, another leadership change shook the Fortune 500.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
The king also met and shook hands with LGBTQ+ veterans during the ceremony.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 27 Oct. 2025
Nearly two years later, there’s still evidence at the crime scene that shook this small island country — ash on jutting rocks, melted scraps of plastic and fabric scattered in the verdant shrubbery where wild dogs stalk giant lizards.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
Defensive end Logan Lutui shook his head to disagree.
—Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Smith came up to Sharpe and shook his hand.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shook
Verb
-
Travis jerked open the door and slid on his butt down a wing that was on fire.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The president starts out by making a visit to Liberty Arena to play basketball with some school children, then gets jerked away when the crisis happens.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Boston Red Sox have avoided arbitration with outfielder Jarren Duran this offseason, agreeing to terms on a new contract.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
While administration officials have avoided overtly saying their goal is regime change — Trump has focused his public remarks on fighting drug cartels — the ultimate goal of democratizing Venezuela, and the resulting investment benefits, are front and center in investors’ minds.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Earth shuddered with yet another wave of extinctions in this initial chill.—
Peter Brannen,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
For much of last season, Atletico appeared set to seriously compete on all fronts, but their season shuddered to a stop in March with a series of disappointing defeats by Barcelona and Madrid across La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams hit tight end Colston Loveland with a pass and the tight end barely evaded two Bengals defenders, who hit each other instead of Loveland.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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The Bills shut down Patrick Mahomes and evaded the Chiefs for the fifth straight time in the regular season to improve to a secure 6-2 mark.—
Torrey Hart,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Other businesses, including a nearby convention center, restaurant and Ford assembly plant, escaped the blaze.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The mailman paused, checking to see if anyone had noticed or knew the puppy had escaped.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As the meeting was ending, Vande Kolk’s cellphone vibrated.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shook. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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