shake 1 of 2

verb

ˈshāk How to pronounce shake (audio)
Definition of shakenext
1
as in to shudder
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 to avoid
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

shake

2 of 2

noun

1
as in minute
a very small space of time I'll be there in two shakes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shivers
shakes plural a sense of panic or extreme nervousness I get the shakes every time I hear her voice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in quake
a shaking of the earth the shake was a modest 3.1 on the Richter scale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shake different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shake are agitate, convulse, and rock. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

When could agitate be used to replace shake?

The words agitate and shake can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When can convulse be used instead of shake?

The words convulse and shake are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

When might rock be a better fit than shake?

In some situations, the words rock and shake are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

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
Verb
Several Italian fashion brands have been shaken by C-suite changes, which will reverberate in the second half of the year and beyond. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026 Their trust in medical institutions has been deeply shaken, and many now fear being reported or even criminalised for seeking care. — Dr. Sj Job, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
Grocery aisles are stacked with bars, shakes and powders that promise to fix your diet in one scoop. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 Aniston’s approach shows that a small egg from the fridge can do the same work as a mid-morning shake without any of the packaging. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake
  1. shudder
  2. avoid
  3. minute
  4. shivers
  5. quake
  6. jerk
  7. evade
  8. heartbeat
Verb
  • The system shudders a bit and then gets back to normal, like a person stubbing a toe or twisting an ankle faces discomfort and difficulty walking for a while.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There’s the studio version, which has some really interesting production, with Meg’s shuddering percussion that eventually grates and distracts, and Jack’s very chunky guitar.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of shudder
Verb
  • City officials asked people to avoid the downtown area where police are investigating the shooting.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some China watchers, however, are keeping their expectations low, as both sides appear to be more interested in avoiding moves that would risk their current trade truce.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of avoid
Noun
  • The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Finally, after about four minutes of confusion, Marine One and the tower make contact.
    — Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of minute
Noun
  • Speaking to Julia Cunningham on her eponymous podcast, Adams says the moment when Cecile realizes her half-sister is the serial killer (while her mom was a plain ol’ one-off manslaughterer) still gives her the shivers.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026
  • Judith claims to be a forensic accountant, but is actually a career assassin whose very name sends shivers of fear through her enemies and ones of excitement through her admirers.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Definition of shivers
Noun
  • The quake caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and roads, while also disrupting food supplies across multiple areas.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That quake was also located about 3 miles outside of Bedminster.
    — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of quake
Verb
  • But in 1933, within a matter of days, they were jerked back into reality.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Stuttering lines, on the left, jerking up and down, denote the rattle of guns; on the right, the lines are all but flat, as silence descends.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence of drugs, according to police.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Johnson has previously stated the Illinois constitution’s flat income tax rate evades the city’s wealth gap.
    — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of evade
Noun
  • The baby was born with a heartbeat but was not breathing, the couple told the Atlantic, and did not survive.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Davis, his wife and kids painted the picture of a family that had deep, meaningful connections to the heartbeat of this burgeoning southern metropolis in NASCAR country that, like so many cities, places its sports stars on a pedestal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of heartbeat

Phrases Containing shake

Browse Nearby Words

shakable
shake
shake a leg
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Cite this Entry

“Shake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shake

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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