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
The roughly 600-resident island community is shaken.
—
Francie Ebert, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Goldman Sachs doesn’t expect domestic confidence in the Egyptian currency to be shaken anytime soon.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
It has been shaken by violence from extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, and the governments fighting them.
—Wilson McMakin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
That has shaken stock markets around the world and pushed up the cost of many basic goods.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
In a statement to KTVU, the organization said her disappearance has shaken the community.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
And Iran’s response to it all has shaken the global economy.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
After an accidental explosion in a West Village bomb factory killed three Weathermen, those who survived, shaken by their friends’ deaths, swore off deadly violence.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Still, Dubai’s reputation for safety and security has been shaken.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Francie Ebert, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Goldman Sachs doesn’t expect domestic confidence in the Egyptian currency to be shaken anytime soon.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
It has been shaken by violence from extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, and the governments fighting them.
—Wilson McMakin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
That has shaken stock markets around the world and pushed up the cost of many basic goods.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
In a statement to KTVU, the organization said her disappearance has shaken the community.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
And Iran’s response to it all has shaken the global economy.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
After an accidental explosion in a West Village bomb factory killed three Weathermen, those who survived, shaken by their friends’ deaths, swore off deadly violence.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Still, Dubai’s reputation for safety and security has been shaken.
—Robert Frank, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaken
Verb
-
At least the elevator still creaked and shuddered, as in the old days, finally trembling open on the eighth floor.—
Rick Bragg,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Later, when Tristan gently put his hand on Marke’s shoulder, the king shuddered.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In one instance, a detainee escaped when there was no staff assigned to watch the perimeter fences.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Vivian smooths any potential strands that may have escaped from her low bun and then brushes up the steep stone steps to the front door.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
We are jerked between past and present as his backstory gets filled in, one jogged memory at a time.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Twin direct hits in southern Israel over the weekend injured at least 180 people, while an additional series of direct strikes — missiles that evaded interceptors — in central Tel Aviv earlier this week injured fewer than 10, according to health officials.—
Rebecca Shabad,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
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Investigators believe Nunez evaded law enforcement by obtaining false identification documents and fleeing the country.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Petty crime, like pickpocketing and phone theft, is more common in Paris and can be easily avoided.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Crown and root rots are easily avoided through proper plant siting to ensure adequate soil drainage.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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People swayed to Cléopâtre's music on Sunday, with some singing along and blowing her kisses, while performers in colorful clothes danced on stage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Big Wild was up next on the Be stage, bringing melodic dance and peaceful vibes to the crowd gathered, who swayed to the music or lay out on the grass.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaken. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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