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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1
as in bunk
Related Words
2
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake down
Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Cipriani followed this script in his effort to shake down Jeff Shell.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
Principally, Artemis 2 was a test flight of Orion's life support systems and a shakedown cruise to verify that the craft can sustain a crew during a mission to lunar space.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Verb
The city hired a second firm to represent Watts, as the city was legally responsible for covering legal judgments against him despite his federal prison sentence for shaking down a drug courier.
—Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Cipriani followed this script in his effort to shake down Jeff Shell.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 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
Principally, Artemis 2 was a test flight of Orion's life support systems and a shakedown cruise to verify that the craft can sustain a crew during a mission to lunar space.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
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Jay Cooke, who had once been lionized for his role in financing the Union victory, was attacked in the press and accused of cheating ordinary Americans out of their savings.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
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The reunion comes 15 years after the couple divorced amid rumors of a cheating scandal.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
Noun
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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
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There's also a bunk room with three twin beds and a full bed (and a private bathroom, with a huge bathtub).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Jeromy Smith Jeromy Douglas Smith, 32, of Rosamond, was a flight test engineer assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
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Teachers use it as a behavioral bargaining chip, administrators weigh playtime against sagging test scores and researchers argue over how best to structure the minutes.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
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The Romulus family of USVs is designed for a wide range of mission sets, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, strike operations, and counter-unmanned systems.—
Aditya Jadhav,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
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Its unmanned ground vehicles are conducting reconnaissance, evacuations and logistical missions.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Profits are squeezed because of the RAM crisis and Samsung has responded with price increases and weaker deals.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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SpaceX argues that orbital data centers sidestep the land, water and power grid constraints squeezing terrestrial AI.—
Chris Stokel-Walker,
Scientific American,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Fire pits and hammocks scattered across the property highlight the Inn’s wide-open space, and there are also bikes available for rent.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
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Crochet hammocks, lounges, and umbrellas abound, as well as a beach bar with waiter service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Part physics lecture, part rehearsal for a future death, the 75-minute piece shifts from glowing equations and sandbox experiments to Tagore songs, Bollywood widow melodrama and intimate Bangla conversations.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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Chavez recalls watching Impacciatore in her costume on the dance floor going hard during rehearsals and giving it all.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Noun
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McKenna's death gained national attention after her disappearance in the middle of the night set off a frantic search for the teenager.—
Angela George,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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In 2022, federal agents found a pistol and 60 grams of marijuana in a search of Hemani's home.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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