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
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2026
The spacecraft commander headed a team of four on the Artemis II shakedown cruise of the new Orion spacecraft, flying a trajectory that took them to the moon and then 4,700 miles beyond the lunar far side—farther from Earth than any human beings have ever ventured.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 15 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
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
The spacecraft commander headed a team of four on the Artemis II shakedown cruise of the new Orion spacecraft, flying a trajectory that took them to the moon and then 4,700 miles beyond the lunar far side—farther from Earth than any human beings have ever ventured.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
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But a subtler disruption is occurring underneath the cheating concerns and efficiency metrics.—
Shannon McKeen,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Saints tried to cheat to get the win, but referee Charles Robinson caught him and stopped his count.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
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At one point, there were 18 friends and family members living together (a six-bed bunk room helps to squeeze everyone in).—
Juliet Izon,
Architectural Digest,
13 May 2026
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Officials told McElroy to take a top bunk bed, the complaint says, in violation of a policy saying pregnant inmates should be assigned bottom bunks to prevent injuries and falls.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Inexpensive test kits are available online or at garden centers.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The Great Big Game Show is one of the newest attractions on International Drive, giving friends, co-workers, couples and families a chance to go head to head in tests of skill, luck, strategy and knowledge.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Noun
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That means, for example, an aircraft capable of flying 1,500 nautical miles (1,726 miles, 2,778 km) on standard fuel could potentially exceed 1,950 nautical miles (2,244 miles, 3,611 km) using the new superfuel, while reconnaissance aircraft could remain on station up to 30% longer.—
David Szondy
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
-
According to the New York Times, she was assigned to an RC-135 reconnaissance airplane crew.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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On the Right, Israel is being squeezed by a smaller faction of the Make America Great Again movement that wants to pare back all American foreign aid.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2026
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Gas prices are continuing to squeeze drivers at the pump.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Guests frequently highlight amenities such as pedal bikes and hammocks, which help elevate the experience beyond a standard campsite.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
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Choose from either a green or a gray hammock.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2026
Noun
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After completing the rehearsal, ground crews removed the rocket from the launch pad to install hardware for the vehicle’s flight termination system.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
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Wearing a smart suit jacket during rehearsal, Sandomir is very much the character of Tony.—
Amy Reyes
May 14,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Her advice is to start with a conversation, not a Google search.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
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Alex is fully cooperating with SLED in their investigations into his shooting, opioid use and the search to find the person or people responsible for the murder of his wife and son.—
Marlene Lenthang,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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