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 new coach shook hands, smiled for cell phone pictures and signed posters for wave after wave of kids.
—
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Judkins shook a tackle and showed impressive acceleration on his 46-yard run for the game’s first touchdown, but otherwise the Browns just took what was available and followed the lead of their defense.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
However, on its home field, Miami fell 24-21 in a major upset — a result that shook not only the Top 25 rankings but also the ACC standings, as Louisville now sits above the Hurricanes in the conference.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
But what shook fear around the world was his disclosure in April to impose global reciprocal tariffs, a move that posed a huge problem for shoe brands who produce in China and Vietnam.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Mike shook Drew’s hand while gazing at his old car.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Fortunately, his relative recovered, but the trying experience deeply shook the artist, who felt the need to show the kinder side of the process after feeling the support of friends, doctors and nurses.
—Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
The losses shook investors’ confidence in Milei’s ability to see through his economic reforms.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Resident Armando Vierra, an Army veteran, said the explosion woke him up and shook his house, nearly five miles from the plant.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Oct. 2025
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Judkins shook a tackle and showed impressive acceleration on his 46-yard run for the game’s first touchdown, but otherwise the Browns just took what was available and followed the lead of their defense.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
However, on its home field, Miami fell 24-21 in a major upset — a result that shook not only the Top 25 rankings but also the ACC standings, as Louisville now sits above the Hurricanes in the conference.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
But what shook fear around the world was his disclosure in April to impose global reciprocal tariffs, a move that posed a huge problem for shoe brands who produce in China and Vietnam.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Mike shook Drew’s hand while gazing at his old car.
—Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Fortunately, his relative recovered, but the trying experience deeply shook the artist, who felt the need to show the kinder side of the process after feeling the support of friends, doctors and nurses.
—Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
The losses shook investors’ confidence in Milei’s ability to see through his economic reforms.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Resident Armando Vierra, an Army veteran, said the explosion woke him up and shook his house, nearly five miles from the plant.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shook
Verb
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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
-
With Tennessee Governor Bill Lee backing the deployment—and faith leaders emphasizing dialogue, restraint, and local input—the city has so far avoided the violent clashes that marked other National Guard operations.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Aspirin should be avoided in children and teens due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition linked to viral infections.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Earth shuddered with yet another wave of extinctions in this initial chill.—
Peter Brannen,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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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
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American businesses would pay 22% of the costs, foreign exporters would absorb 18% and 5% would be evaded, according to the Goldman Sachs analysis.—
Elizabeth Schulze,
ABC News,
14 Oct. 2025
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The issue here, contrary to the Administration’s framing, is not that these individuals had previously evaded accountability for allegedly criminal activity.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One of the most compelling takeaways from the Nuggets’ preseason was David Adelman’s willingness to get weird — a quality that escaped them by the end of Michael Malone’s tenure.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
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After calling 911, police said the woman escaped and started screaming, which is when the officer found her.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shook. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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