as in to shock
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake-up
Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
All seats up for grabs in Matthews Matthews voters will see a major shake-up on their town board this year.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Cal State Fullerton students were quite shaken up recently — for a good reason.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Verb
While an unprecedented move, the Giants need a shake-up on the top step.
—Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
All seats up for grabs in Matthews Matthews voters will see a major shake-up on their town board this year.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
Political groups and teacher unions have spent more than $1 million so far on candidates in the Denver school board election, which could shake up leadership of Colorado’s largest district next week.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2025
Cal State Fullerton students were quite shaken up recently — for a good reason.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake-up
Verb
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When Charlotte was ranked 50th out of 50, the study shocked local leaders and eventual led to the formation of the Opportunity Task Force.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Oct. 2025
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The first comes in the show’s shocking cold open, in which a mother gives birth to a demonic baby that subsequently attacks an 11-year-old boy.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Still far from clear that last week’s shakeout was a proper reset in a market with rich valuations and credit conditions slightly less generous than two weeks ago.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
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But while fans eagerly await the leaderboard's final shakeout, one name has already slipped from contention: Robert MacIntyre.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As the federal government shutdown drags into its 24th day, millions of American families are bracing for the possibility that November’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not arrive on time.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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The ongoing government shutdown continues to disrupt flights at times and put pressure on air traffic controllers who are working without pay.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That this face was his appalled him more.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
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How shocked and appalled and offended everyone seems to be by this.—
Nick Suss,
Nashville Tennessean,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Major indexes climbed Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing above 47,000 for the first time.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
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In the days after Niccol announced the job cuts and store closings, some workers briefly walked off the job at various Starbucks, including in Columbus, Ohio, Indianapolis, Nashville and Eugene, Oregon, to raise attention to their contract fight.—
Mike Snider,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Miles stunned the country by entering the transfer portal and eventually landing at TCU, a few weeks after the Horned Frogs eliminated Notre Dame in the Sweet 16.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Oct. 2025
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Joined by real-life magician Noah Levine, the star stunned fans with card tricks and a special surprise.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake-up. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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