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
David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
But in years past, many cases reviewed by CNN involved scam artists who sought to shake down immigrants for cash under threat of deportation.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
While some teams had their own short shakedown runs and filming days ahead of time, all but one team (Williams) participated in last week’s Barcelona test.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Verb
Julian dispatches Ares and his deputy, Athena (an imperious Jodie Turner-Smith), to the physical world, ordering them to shake down Eve for information about Flynn’s code.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
But in years past, many cases reviewed by CNN involved scam artists who sought to shake down immigrants for cash under threat of deportation.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
In 2010, Barack Obama presented the replacement for SORT, New START, to the Senate, where GOP hawks blocked it until Obama agreed to spend tens of billions of dollars for future nuclear-modernization programs—in effect a shakedown for the nuclear-weapons industry in exchange for ratification.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
While some teams had their own short shakedown runs and filming days ahead of time, all but one team (Williams) participated in last week’s Barcelona test.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
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So those Santa Ana constituents would be cheated out of services if the money remained solely in the First District.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
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But the people trying to cheat their way into benefits, Cooper said, are largely not the ones attending survivors’ conferences.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For families Hotel June can be a good option for small families looking for a stylish, beach-adjacent base, but do note that the rooms aren't huge, and bunk-bed options are limited.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
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The New York Times reported that sailors needed more than 30 hours to put out the fire and more than 600 crew had lost their bunk space.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For now, As Deep As the Grave stands as a high-profile test.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
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That's when Crosby was told there were concerns with his medical tests.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The humanoid stands about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs roughly 175–180 pounds (79–82 kilograms), and is intended for tasks such as reconnaissance, bomb disposal, and other high-risk ground operations.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
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Each destroyer carries two MH-60 Seahawk helicopters that can be used for aerial reconnaissance and can also carry a pod used for minesweeping.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gasoline prices have raced closer to $4 per gallon during the war, squeezing many household budgets that are already under pressure.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Research budgets were gutted, marketing hollowed out, suppliers squeezed.—
Paul Polman,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Shop outdoor seating like lounge chairs and adirondack chairs, stylish hammocks, string lights and pathway lights, planters, dining tables, and more.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
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On the other side of the living area was my and my husband’s room, with a king bed draped in netting, an en-suite bathroom with two stone sinks, live-edge wood counters, and a rain shower with a large window to outside, and a larger terrace with a hammock.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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During a performance rehearsal on March 19, RM suffered an ankle injury and was taken to a hospital to undergo a detailed examination and treatment.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
20 Mar. 2026
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The band’s management company, HYBE, said RM injured his ankle during a rehearsal Thursday but was expected to perform with some limitations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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When available, the VPN toggle will appear to the right of the search bar.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
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Even if life on certain planets—and our ability to reach them—sounds more far-fetched than on others, the team explained that further observations will still help advance the search for extraterrestrial life.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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