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
Relevance
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
1
as in minute
a very small space of time
I'll be there in two shakes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of shake
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025
RBIs used to matter most, but computers shake their screens.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025
To capture the photo above, the drone was set to hover in low-wind conditions to avoid camera shake during the long exposure.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake
Verb
The loss of more than 100 lives, many of them children, to Hill Country floods over the July Fourth weekend has shaken Texans to the core.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 12 July 2025
RBIs used to matter most, but computers shake their screens.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Noun
Before tossing beach towels or mats in the washer, give each piece a good shake outside.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025
To capture the photo above, the drone was set to hover in low-wind conditions to avoid camera shake during the long exposure.
—James Abbott, Space.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake
Verb
-
All those sharp tool and drills are enough to make anyone shudder.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
-
When only two vehicles remain on the far edge of the lot, the woman twists the key in the ignition and the idling car shudders still.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Experts say Camp Mystic's requests to amend the FEMA map could have been an attempt to avoid the requirement to carry flood insurance, to lower the camp's insurance premiums or to pave the way for renovating or adding new structures under less costly regulations.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 July 2025
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While every Italian city is unique in its own ways, there are a couple of ways to avoid being marked as a tourist on your next trip to sample La Dolce Vita.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
You’re asked to meet with senior leadership for the very first time—in five minutes.—
Michele Moreno,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Follow that with a dip in the sea at Lia beach—a four minute walk away—or book a pottery class through one of the hotel’s artisan partners.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Even if landslides don’t occur during the quake itself, the ground may be weakened, leaving it primed for failure during later rainstorms.—
Brian J. Yanites,
The Conversation,
26 June 2025
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The quake is a certainty, but could be hundreds of years off.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Centre Court looked naked without line judges, but Fognini’s presence and touch filled the void and jerked the joie de vivre out of Alcaraz’s racket.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Patrick Walle’s horn solo up top sounded suspended in time, before an increasingly feral orchestra jerked us back to street level.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
Ten people involved in the ambush were arrested that night or early the next morning, but Song evaded capture, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
-
Dexter stalks his next victim (Marc Menchaca) — a killer who targets ride-share drivers — while the ghost of his father Harry (James Remar) urges him to be careful, and a fidgety Harrison tries to evade police suspicions.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of illnesses caused by harmful algal blooms can include stomachaches, rashes, headaches, and coughing, while more serious symptoms include liver damage, seizures, and irregular heartbeats.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
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For now, that’s not part of his All-Star week duties, but, per usual, that week will be a busy one for the heartbeat of Cleveland’s lineup.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
On Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, a flurry of small earthquakes shook the Iliamna volcano on June 15.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
-
While much of America has moved past COVID-19, the pandemic that hit the industry like an earthquake continues to experience aftershocks.—
Alexander Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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