1
as in shuddered
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 escaped
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shaken
Just thinking about them leaves me shaken.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 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
To have all three of those changes hit within the past four years or so has shaken the game to its core, and the results are being seen on campus rinks from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Fairfield, Conn.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Just before New Year’s Eve, Luz’s life is shaken by a Filipino reality TV show.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
In 2022, gilt markets were shaken when then-Prime Minister Liz Truss announced a swathe of unfunded tax cuts — forcing an intervention from the Bank of England and leading to Truss’ resignation after just 44 days into the job.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
The questions at the hearing – ostensibly about broadband funding deployment – also underscored how the latest release of Epstein files has shaken government and business figures around the world.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
And Takaichi’s stimulus-heavy prescription for the economy has shaken bond vigilantes, while analysts have also warned about the possibility of a worsening debt crisis.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
The spa deserves a mention, as does Frank’s Bar, where cocktails are shaken to a backdrop of paintings by Victorian botanical artist, Marianne North, and velveteen bar stools overlook far-reaching views across the land.
—Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 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
To have all three of those changes hit within the past four years or so has shaken the game to its core, and the results are being seen on campus rinks from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Fairfield, Conn.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Just before New Year’s Eve, Luz’s life is shaken by a Filipino reality TV show.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
In 2022, gilt markets were shaken when then-Prime Minister Liz Truss announced a swathe of unfunded tax cuts — forcing an intervention from the Bank of England and leading to Truss’ resignation after just 44 days into the job.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
The questions at the hearing – ostensibly about broadband funding deployment – also underscored how the latest release of Epstein files has shaken government and business figures around the world.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
And Takaichi’s stimulus-heavy prescription for the economy has shaken bond vigilantes, while analysts have also warned about the possibility of a worsening debt crisis.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
The spa deserves a mention, as does Frank’s Bar, where cocktails are shaken to a backdrop of paintings by Victorian botanical artist, Marianne North, and velveteen bar stools overlook far-reaching views across the land.
—Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaken
Verb
-
No one spoke until Chuky shuddered his head and this time without laughing said, Shit, that’s crazy.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
East Denver sushi fans shuddered in late December when Okinawa Japanese Cuisine, a mainstay on Colfax Avenue since 2010, closed and boarded up its doors with brown paper.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That season’s squad, which had gone to the NIT three straight years, escaped the non-conference schedule with a record of 9-2.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
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The rescue came about after Jordan Turpin — who was 17 at the time — escaped from the home and told authorities about their captivity and abuse.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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The two stood nose-to-nose on the field when the Steelers player grabbed onto Chase’s facemask, jerked his head and appeared to punch him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Surprisingly, among the more than 1,000 recipes published in the past 25 years of columns and cookbooks, a true, crisp and delicious almond cookie recipe had evaded me until now.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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After the fall of Tripoli, Saif al-Islam Gadhafi evaded capture for several months before being detained in November 2011 by a militia in the western Libyan city of Zintan.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While touring with Reba McEntire, Finney narrowly avoided a 1991 plane crash that killed eight band members of her band.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Most critics avoided taking a definitive stance on the RIFL Act itself, with some expressing neutrality in the debate.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The pair swayed together before exchanging a kiss as the dancers surrounding them cheered and applauded.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
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Seattle Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald swayed with his eyes closed while New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stood tall with a hand over his heart.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaken. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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