shook-up 1 of 2

Definition of shook-upnext

shook up

2 of 2

verb

past tense of shake up

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-up
Verb
Most of these councilmember endorsements were publicly unveiled during the primary election, some of which were shared just days after a key filing deadline for the mayoral race in February — a day shook up by Raman’s last-minute joining. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 The opening of the new Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee this summer shook up the local concert scene, with some 40 shows booked there that otherwise would have hit a local arena or the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2026 Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who shook up her top team on Monday by appointing new economy and foreign affairs spokespeople, finally gets a chance to grill Burnham on Tuesday when Parliament returns from its summer break. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 By the Monitor's Editorial Board Yoav Segalovitz, a Zionist politician from a centrist Jewish party, shook up Israeli politics on Monday. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026 The Miami Marlins shook up their bullpen a bit on Sunday, designated for assignment veteran lefty reliever John King and recalling rookie Jack Ralston ahead of their series finale against the Washington Nationals. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026 After the Warriors had been upset in the first round of the 1992 playoffs by Seattle despite a 55-27 record, the coach shook up the roster in an effort to take the next step toward a title. — Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026 At the midway point, this year has already produced the most billion-dollar blockbusters since the pandemic shook up the movie theater industry. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 Revealed in January and going on sale in June, the iPhone shook up an industry that was coming to terms with online app stores and touchscreens just as Apple steamrollered in with its own vision. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shook-up
Adjective
  • But there were clearly hundreds of Disney employees who were very upset about that.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Many have responded to Swan Song negatively, with RadarOnline previously reporting that some royal observers are upset that Spencer is looking to reopen old wounds while Charles is battling cancer.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • South Africa has struggled with violent crime for years, but the shootings on Saturday night have shocked a country used to some of the highest homicide rates in the world.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • South Africa has struggled with violent crime for years, but recent shootings have shocked a country used to some of the highest homicide rates in the world.
    — Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Still, Lyon was barely troubled cruising to victory after an eighth-minute own goal by Laia Ballesté, under pressure from Dumornay, to turn a cross by Salma Paralluelo into her own net.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Set in Palm Springs, California, and seen on Broadway in 2011, the play probes a rich, powerful, troubled and Reagan-esque West Coast political family and makes much of the metaphor of the arid, infertile desert.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The cast, who had been supportive of Paul’s controversy and mental-health struggles before the cancellation, were appalled at a video leaked in March of Paul throwing a stool at her ex, Dakota Mortensen, that almost hit her young daughter.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Mansur, who desperately longs to be reunited with his own mother, is appalled.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The actor worked with Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers to adapt the true story of a radio news broadcaster and an aggrieved kidnapper with modern-day parallels to figures like Luigi Mangione.
    — Dave Itzkoff, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Schiltz added that any aggrieved teacher can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
    — Riley Moser, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When Arisa proclaims herself a Faithful, Michael looks hilariously stunned, and Alan tells them to weep for the fall of innocence and the failure of justice.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • When the boss returns to the office vowing to send them all to jail, he is stunned to see the women have introduced job-sharing, flexible hours, and on-site child care.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Some distraught users took to social media to express their alarm at how the AI agent, which required masses of personal data to operate without detailed instructions, had a habit of going rogue.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Andrew offers his distraught daughter little sympathy, and from that moment, a murder plot begins to take shape.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Dr Hoggett’s office was in a hospital across town, a building with long corridors, low ceilings, handwashing stations and works of art that were at once innocuous and ill at ease.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The squad were simultaneously in awe, and ill at ease.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shook-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shook-up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster