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 But the rest of the offensive line is a mystery, especially since the Dolphins are seemingly trying to shake down starting right tackle Austin Jackson, restructuring his contract to create cap space. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
Inspired by mishaps on an Alaskan adventure of their own, and the sliding top-over-bottom action of hat and match boxes, the Halls started building their prototype in 1953 and took it for an official Alaskan shakedown in 1957. — New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026 The spacecraft commander headed a team of four on the Artemis II shakedown cruise of the new Orion spacecraft, flying a trajectory that took them to the moon and then 4,700 miles beyond the lunar far side—farther from Earth than any human beings have ever ventured. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 15 Apr. 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
  • The American grandmaster shed some light on his mindset following Kramnik’s cheating accusations in a livestream prior to his death, according to the Associated Press.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • Trump has also continued to claim Democrats are trying to rig or cheat in the upcoming election, remarks that have faced rebukes from members of his own party.
    — Ana Ceballos Follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • The kitchen is sleek and fully equipped for feeding a crowd, and the sleeping arrangements strike that rare balance between elevated and practical—proper suites for the adults and a bunk room that kids will immediately claim.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026
  • This meant that men and women couldn't share beds, and the girls would have to bunk with one another.
    — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026
Definition of bunk
Noun
  • While some attribute layoffs to post-pandemic corrections, not solely AI, the true test is whether these leaner structures can effectively foster internal leadership development.
    — Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The three-judge panel found that Connecticut's ban is consistent with the country's historical tradition of firearms regulation, applying a new test for reviewing the constitutionality of gun laws that the Supreme Court set out in 2022.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of test
Noun
  • Raymond said on Friday that an exhaustive review of video surveillance footage from the days leading up to the explosion allegedly captured Berezovk making several reconnaissance visits to the building.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • The same advances are also lowering the barrier for bad actors, enabling faster reconnaissance and more sophisticated attacks.
    — Shane Buckley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of reconnaissance
Verb
  • As artificial intelligence transforms the job market and rising living costs squeeze family budgets, the University of California system is making the case that its degrees remain valuable investments.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • Breweries may not have the budget or staff to create art and with rising costs squeezing small businesses, many breweries started to feature obvious generative AI art prominently as a way to talk about events or create content.
    — Em Sauter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • But Wright was relaxing in a hammock when those words came to him; Thomson, in the stiff upholstery of the multiplex, is worse off.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • The parking lot of a pharmacy turned into a makeshift shelter with tarps, hammocks and tents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 June 2026
Definition of hammock
Noun
  • In footage shared by attorney and independent journalist Aaron Parnas on Thursday, a group of young dancers were nearly crushed when a large panel plummeted to the stage during a live performance or rehearsal.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
  • Knowing the show is a heavy lift, Ross came into rehearsals with the script already memorized.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026
Definition of rehearsal
Noun
  • Williams was hired last February after the city conducted a national search to replace Chavarria.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • The other ice cream brands with the highest search interest after Halo Top were Cold Stone Creamery, Breyers, Talenti and Häagen Dazs, according to the Innerbody Research report.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of search

Browse Nearby Words

shake a leg
shake down
shakedown
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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