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
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
  1. cheat
  2. bunk
  3. test
  4. reconnaissance
  5. squeeze
  6. hammock
  7. rehearsal
  8. search
Verb
  • But the idea that girls are being cheated is personal for some athletes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Miller—who is no stranger to extramarital tabloid scandals herself—has also mastered her getting-cheated-on performances.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • The well-size main bedroom has leafy views and another decorative fireplace, although the person doing the listing’s photos has oddly chosen to hide it behind a bed; the second bedroom can easily handle a bunk-bed situation plus a sideboard.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The 19th century is long gone; phrenology is and was always bunk—so what lesson can the specimens teach me?
    — Daniel Barnum, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bunk
Noun
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing one of the most significant electoral tests of his decades-long political career after three years of war, crisis and global outcry over the country's military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
    — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In a test involving the recognition of symbols, Cortical reports that linking up seven biological computers increased accuracy in results from around 80% to 99%.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of test
Noun
  • The upgrade comes amid growing interest in unmanned systems that can deliver flexible surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities without requiring extensive infrastructure.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
  • In April, Russia launched a fleet of small satellites into an orbit close to a commercial radar remote sensing satellite owned by ICEYE that provides reconnaissance imagery to Ukraine.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of reconnaissance
Verb
  • For hungry Southerners trying to squeeze a meal into their lunch breaks, that’s a major blunder.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Push through the soles of your feet and squeeze your glutes to drive your hips upward.
    — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • While spring, summer, and fall are beautiful times to visit Wisconsin, the fire pit (and hammock) outside is still inviting come winter and snow.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The rooftop has an area with hammocks and a small pool for guests’ exclusive use, as well as another area open to the public and available for events.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hammock
Noun
  • The Kravis Studio was closed to museumgoers for rehearsals, so the Friday event would be Pageant’s only public presentation at MoMA besides a free artist talk the following Sunday.
    — Nolan Kelly, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026
  • About to head into rehearsals for his upcoming play, Tarantino explained his current mindset is of being a writer first, as was put into action with opting not to direct Cliff Booth.
    — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of rehearsal
Noun
  • Flights carrying soldiers and military equipment from El Salvador continued to arrive on Monday in Haiti, where search and rescue operations for four missing Salvadoran aviation technicians remain ongoing.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Firing Riley now would leave athletic director Jen Cohen in a similarly tough position, with months of speculation surrounding a high-pressure search.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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