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
Richard Arnold, the chief executive whose departure had already been announced, went round the room and shook everyone’s hand, expressing his belief the future at United would be bright.
—
Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
The camera then cut to Johansson, who shook her head while grimacing.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Bare trees shook like chilly bones.
—Margaux Laskey, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2024
The system shook hands with my Droid immediately, and the sound system, happily, has knobs.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
The Collective put that exact sentiment into practice by leading a multi-coalition response to the Roxbury Murders, which shook the Boston area during the first six months of 1979.
—Jazmine Hughes, Them, 20 Dec. 2024
Annie stood with a hand on her hip and shook her head.
—Greg Borowski, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
Annie pointed to the far window, shook her head and wagged a finger in disdain.
—Greg Borowski, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
The quarterback shook off a left leg injury late in the second quarter to throw for 213 yards and one touchdown on 21-of-30 passing.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
The camera then cut to Johansson, who shook her head while grimacing.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Bare trees shook like chilly bones.
—Margaux Laskey, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2024
The system shook hands with my Droid immediately, and the sound system, happily, has knobs.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
The Collective put that exact sentiment into practice by leading a multi-coalition response to the Roxbury Murders, which shook the Boston area during the first six months of 1979.
—Jazmine Hughes, Them, 20 Dec. 2024
Annie stood with a hand on her hip and shook her head.
—Greg Borowski, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
Annie pointed to the far window, shook her head and wagged a finger in disdain.
—Greg Borowski, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
The quarterback shook off a left leg injury late in the second quarter to throw for 213 yards and one touchdown on 21-of-30 passing.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shook
Verb
-
At best, this results in superficial engagement—teams may appear aligned on the surface but lack genuine buy-in as difficult conversations are avoided.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
-
And who has avoided injuries while the rest of the squad have struggled?—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But in life James resisted metaphor and evaded attention.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
-
DeAngelo evaded prosecution for years while committing a string of murders and rapes across the Golden State between 1974 and 1986, including two murders and nine kidnappings in Sacramento County alone.—
Lia Russell,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
India escaped the scary moment unscathed.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Anderson, who retired his first 10 batters, walked the bases loaded with one out in the fourth, but escaped the jam by striking out Jeremy Peña and getting Diaz to line out.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shook. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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