shakier; shakiest
1
: characterized by shakes
shaky timber
2
a
: lacking stability : precarious
a shaky economy
performed well after a shaky start
b
: lacking in firmness (as of beliefs or principles)
c
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky experimental procedures
shaky data
3
a
: somewhat unsound in health
b
: characterized by shaking
4
: likely to give way or break down
a shaky ladder
Synonyms of shaky
Examples of shaky in a Sentence
She took a few shaky steps before she collapsed.
Her commitment to the cause seems shaky.
Their marriage is on shaky ground.
The team has performed better lately after getting off to a shaky start.
Recent Examples on the Web
Carlos Rodon will take the hill today and look to improve on his shaky first outing.
—
David Troy, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Marleen Gorris tried with her shaky 1997 film starring Vanessa Redgrave as the titular protagonist and Rupert Graves as the tragic Septimus.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Despite the season’s shaky start, including an April frost that caused some producers to lose up to 20 percent of their fruit, 2021 offered a hot dry summer that allowed for full ripeness and potent concentration.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
On his latest album of shaky rapping and abstract interludes, the multi-hyphenate creator finds a strange middle ground.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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David Troy, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Marleen Gorris tried with her shaky 1997 film starring Vanessa Redgrave as the titular protagonist and Rupert Graves as the tragic Septimus.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Despite the season’s shaky start, including an April frost that caused some producers to lose up to 20 percent of their fruit, 2021 offered a hot dry summer that allowed for full ripeness and potent concentration.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 May 2026
On his latest album of shaky rapping and abstract interludes, the multi-hyphenate creator finds a strange middle ground.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shaky
adjective
shakier; shakiest
1
a
: lacking firmness
b
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky data
2
: marked by shaking : trembling
3
: likely to give way or break down
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