shake 1 of 2

verb

ˈshāk How to pronounce shake (audio)
Definition of shakenext
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

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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

shake

2 of 2

noun

1
as in minute
a very small space of time I'll be there in two shakes

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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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shake different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shake are agitate, convulse, and rock. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

When could agitate be used to replace shake?

The words agitate and shake can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When can convulse be used instead of shake?

The words convulse and shake are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

When might rock be a better fit than shake?

In some situations, the words rock and shake are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

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
Verb
When Dana peeks in and Robby simply shakes his head no? —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026 The specter of the alliance’s most powerful country threatening to annex part of another ally, Denmark, has deeply shaken the rest of the alliance. —Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
It is often used in smoothies, shakes, or recipes and can feel more filling. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 30 Jan. 2026 Protein, please Protein has gone viral, but molecular protein is a little different than what’s in your shake. —Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake
  1. shudder
  2. avoid
  3. minute
  4. shivers
  5. quake
  6. jerk
  7. evade
  8. heartbeat
Verb
  • Karen Powers shuddered at what the adjuster said next, Shaun Powers said.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Her body shuddered in a wave of tremors.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of shudder
Verb
  • Avian influenza continues to cause significant mortality in wild birds, prompting the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to recommend avoiding contact with wild birds.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
  • During warmer months, when the path is crowded with tourists in leisure mode, anyone who walks with a purpose should avoid the Bridge at all costs.
    — Katie James Watkinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of avoid
Noun
  • Less than 20 minutes later, the flames had spread to the nearby wilderness and more units were called in to respond to the growing brush fire on the north side of the highway, county officials said.
    — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The concierge team can assist guests in arranging appointments at Cure Spa (five-minute drive away), as well as personal training sessions, daily gym passes, or group workout classes at Advantage Personal Training (an eight-minute drive away).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of minute
Noun
  • Algebra in between scenes… sends shivers down my spine!
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Their accounts gave me shivers of recognition—their experiences echoed my father’s stories.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of shivers
Noun
  • Those who felt the quake are encouraged to report it via the USGS Felt Report form.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • There were frost quakes with shaking and booming reported from Tennessee to Pennsylvania.
    — Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of quake
Verb
  • Seconds later, Exum, who was driving with his Glock pistol in his right hand, appeared to jerk the steering wheel to the left, in the direction of Martínez’s vehicle alongside them.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The room sighs in relief a second later when Buckley reanimates, jerking and flailing like a soul possessed, grinning maniacally — all on purpose, inspired by the earlier veil snafu.
    — Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Bottega Veneta’s perfume holder makes sure your travel-sized scent never ever rolls around at the bottom of your bag, evading your grip hand again.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Kids use a variety of methods to evade age rules by giving fraudulent information.
    — Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of evade
Noun
  • The heartbeat of Teton Village, the resort is flanked by high-end hotels with thoughtful ski amenities—the in-suite boot warmers at Caldera House are a classy touch—ski shops, and restaurants.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
  • House music thumped in the background like the heartbeat of a menacing jungle cat.
    — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of heartbeat

Phrases Containing shake

Browse Nearby Words

shakable
shake
shake a leg
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shake

Nglish: Translation of shake for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shake

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