Thesaurus results for SHAKE DOWN

shake down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake down

as in to cheat

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

Relevance

shakedown

2 of 2

noun

as in bunk

Related Words

as in test

Related Words

as in reconnaissance

Related Words

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 shake down

Verb

Federal prosecutors, however, are alleging a complex plot to not only shake down Edens but also to hide evidence from the FBI. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026 This brainstorm is aimed at shaking down travel booking platforms. — Susan Shelley, Daily News, 13 May 2026

Noun

Implied in the shakedown of Meta is that before Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, life for teens and those adjacent to that age range was of a blissful nature. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The submarine then spent several months in shakedown operations, testing, and evaluation to check its systems and performance. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down

Verb

For example, if a model figures out a way to cheat to win a game, but the human running the training doesn’t spot the cheating, then the model will learn to cheat.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
The move, orchestrated by Everett to satisfy the demands of the company’s top-dollar backers, cheats Michael out of his stock options and equity in the company.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of cheat

Noun

Kramnic was unable to climb on to the top bunk without injuring his knees and back.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Although my room had six bunks, my only roommate was a quiet man from Switzerland who was also traveling from LA to San Francisco, but by bike.

— David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bunk

Noun

Japan's Self-Defense Force has introduced its first long-range Type-25 land-to-ship missile to Yonaguni during the drill, though no test-firing is planned.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Whether this broader metabolic shift can improve psychiatric symptoms is now being put to the test.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of test

Noun

The team sees potential applications in urban delivery and long-distance reconnaissance across rough terrain, where speed, maneuverability, and obstacle clearance are important.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
China has since created spacecraft for communications; navigation; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance that would have been unimaginable to PLA officials who observed Desert Storm.

— Kathleen Curlee, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of reconnaissance

Verb

Meta squeezes two independent light-guiding cores into a single standard glass strand to double its bandwidth.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Fuel expenses are squeezing daily household budgets and tightening cash flow toward the end of the month, with reports indicating a growing number of French employees are requesting payroll advances to manage month end expenses.

— , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Noun

The exterior is well equipped for leisurely days—including a shaded hammock, large deck, and a fire pit with Adirondack chairs beneath a string of bistro lights.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026
Its campsites are shaded by tall pine trees, ideal for hanging a hammock.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of hammock

Noun

On Monday, the soldiers were still missing, leading to an aggressive search by angry gang-force soldiers who busted the gate of a local business searching for gang members and flew over the area in helicopters.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Abiy’s search for alternatives has also heightened tensions with Somalia.

— KHALED KAZZIHA, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of search

Browse Nearby Words

shake a leg

shake down

shakedown

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of shake down

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes