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
Relevance
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
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 shook
The snake struck and shook its tail to protect itself, releasing its notorious rattle warning.
—
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The death of Rodarte shook the Northern California town of about 12,000, marking the city’s first officer killed in the line of duty in more than a century.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
For the present-day Benhamou family, three days that shook France are still fresh on their minds.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Luther’s protest began the long and complicated process of the many Reformations that shook the foundations of morality and authority in Christian Europe.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Prices at the pump are the highest levels since 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shook global energy markets.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
As the verdict was read, the plaintiff, known only as Kaley, looked straight ahead stony-faced, while her lawyers shook their heads in approval.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak shook his head.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Jung Kook joined in while RM and Jimin shook their heads.
—Rachael Jung, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The death of Rodarte shook the Northern California town of about 12,000, marking the city’s first officer killed in the line of duty in more than a century.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
For the present-day Benhamou family, three days that shook France are still fresh on their minds.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Luther’s protest began the long and complicated process of the many Reformations that shook the foundations of morality and authority in Christian Europe.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Prices at the pump are the highest levels since 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shook global energy markets.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
As the verdict was read, the plaintiff, known only as Kaley, looked straight ahead stony-faced, while her lawyers shook their heads in approval.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak shook his head.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Jung Kook joined in while RM and Jimin shook their heads.
—Rachael Jung, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shook
Verb
-
We are jerked between past and present as his backstory gets filled in, one jogged memory at a time.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Yellowish stool can be associated with oily and greasy foods, which should be avoided on GLP-1s.—
Nicole Hernandez,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Some choices cannot be optimized, some losses can’t be avoided.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At least the elevator still creaked and shuddered, as in the old days, finally trembling open on the eighth floor.—
Rick Bragg,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Later, when Tristan gently put his hand on Marke’s shoulder, the king shuddered.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Twin direct hits in southern Israel over the weekend injured at least 180 people, while an additional series of direct strikes — missiles that evaded interceptors — in central Tel Aviv earlier this week injured fewer than 10, according to health officials.—
Rebecca Shabad,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Investigators believe Nunez evaded law enforcement by obtaining false identification documents and fleeing the country.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For a moment, the plane quivered around them like a greyhound straining on a leash.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kourani had escaped a strike on a hotel in a nearby area earlier this month.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
While awaiting prosecution for the Mahany Park shooting, Abril escaped from Placer County sheriff’s custody while receiving medical treatment at Sutter Roseville Medical Center.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The roar of the crowds gathered at the base of the 101-story building still echoed in his ears, and the thrill of scaling its ten abstract metal dragons vibrated through his body.—
Outside,
Outside,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Even the bathrooms down the hall vibrated with rhythm.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shook. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
