as in plucked
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shook down
Verb
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On the Ann Demeulemeester runway line-up from which Lipa’s jacket was plucked, the military uniform piece was styled with a diaphanous cream slip dress and the same combat boots.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026 -
He was plucked out of the basic-cable mines by Survivor’s creator, Mark Burnett, a British TV producer with a feel for brutal social drama.—
David Canfield,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After the Astros cheated to win the 2017 World Series, the Dodgers didn’t face them again until 2020.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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Bondi forgave a crime that had put people’s lives at risk and cheated the government of vaccine doses that could have been given to others.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The best part of the orange — your orange, Chicago taxpayers — already has been squeezed for the most juice, likely explaining the sale.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
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Managers have become organizational shock absorbers, squeezed between executive decisions from above and team realities below.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The criticism stung deeper coming from someone who avoided Vietnam military service.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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His sarcasm stung almost daily, but the winning followed weekly.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Toronto hustled to a 14-point advantage before settling for a 32-24 lead after one quarter.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
17 Jan. 2026
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Fiala hustled back to block Eichel’s shot, but Eichel recovered it to find Stone on the doorstep for an uncontested winner.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With all this ice, barges get stuck.—
Megan Shinn,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Cold temperatures that stuck in Iowa for over a week will continue, but will not be as frigid, forecasts show.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sure, some out there were robbing old people, choking people, robbing them, beating them up, taking their money, but Troy just wasn’t like that.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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Jalen Brunson scored 28 points and the New York Knicks dominated the fourth quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings 103-87 on Tuesday night for their third straight victory.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There are other complications, of course — typical Marvel stuff — but even without them, Simon is still screwed.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
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That doesn’t mean you’re screwed if your job is highly repetitive.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
23 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Shook down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shook%20down. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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