shake down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake downnext
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

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shakedown

2 of 2

noun

1
as in bunk

Related Words
2
as in test

Related Words
3
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
This brainstorm is aimed at shaking down travel booking platforms. — Susan Shelley, Daily News, 13 May 2026 The commission shakes down property owners by, say, requiring them to remove structures or give up development rights. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 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
  1. cheat
  2. bunk
  3. test
  4. reconnaissance
  5. squeeze
  6. hammock
  7. rehearsal
  8. search
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
  • The new tier of intermediate-sized banks would have a community development test, but not an investment and service metric that large banks are graded on.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • And what about OpenAI’s Sam Altman, whose models hacked their way out of a test this summer and launched a cyberattack against the AI company Hugging Face?
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 12 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
  • But in recent years, the shows have become money losers and the network TV business — faced with a decline in viewers that is squeezing profits — are cutting them loose.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • However, rising costs for housing, food, fuel and insurance coupled with cooling employment rends and the lowest consumer sentiment in a decade is squeezing discretionary spending.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 12 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
  • That period includes fittings, hair and makeup tests and rehearsals to ensure the costumes work with the choreography.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Bieber’s dance rehearsals and the functional off-stage uniform of ballet dancers.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of rehearsal
Noun
  • Following a nationwide talent search, he had been selected as one of nine young comics to star on ABC’s new late-night sketch show, Fridays.
    — Blake J. Harris, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The team hired a search firm and the biggest thing that the franchise wanted was a basketball purist who aligned with the core values of the organization.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of search

Browse Nearby Words

shake a leg
shake down
shakedown
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Cite this Entry

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

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