as in appalling
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shaking up
But faculty fear the cuts will gut resources key to UT’s mission — teaching and research — while further shaking up the university’s organization at a time leadership is undergoing major changes.
—
Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The Aquarius New Moon Solar Eclipse later in the month activates your partnership sector and squares Uranus in Taurus, which has been shaking up your home, family, and emotional foundation for years.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
In The Dressmaker, for example, World War II is just something that’s happening, shaking up a world of repression and poverty.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Mayor Karen Bass, running for a second term in the June 2 election, is shaking up that routine, by delivering two different State of the City addresses nearly three months apart.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The pair first meet at karaoke on New Year's Eve, and reunite when Gabriella unexpectedly transfers to East High — and the unlikely duo audition for the school musical, shaking up the drama and athletics departments.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
He's now threatened tariffs on eight NATO allies who have expressed their opposition to the idea, and that is shaking up the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week.
—NPR, 21 Jan. 2026
Kubasik sees this as the first step toward shaking up an industry long plagued by oligopolistic hangovers and kicking off a new wave of dealmaking.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Born in England in 1950, Branson left school early due to dyslexia and learned business by doing—launching Student magazine, founding Virgin Records, and later shaking up aviation with Virgin Atlantic.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2026
Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The Aquarius New Moon Solar Eclipse later in the month activates your partnership sector and squares Uranus in Taurus, which has been shaking up your home, family, and emotional foundation for years.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
In The Dressmaker, for example, World War II is just something that’s happening, shaking up a world of repression and poverty.
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Mayor Karen Bass, running for a second term in the June 2 election, is shaking up that routine, by delivering two different State of the City addresses nearly three months apart.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The pair first meet at karaoke on New Year's Eve, and reunite when Gabriella unexpectedly transfers to East High — and the unlikely duo audition for the school musical, shaking up the drama and athletics departments.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
He's now threatened tariffs on eight NATO allies who have expressed their opposition to the idea, and that is shaking up the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week.
—NPR, 21 Jan. 2026
Kubasik sees this as the first step toward shaking up an industry long plagued by oligopolistic hangovers and kicking off a new wave of dealmaking.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Born in England in 1950, Branson left school early due to dyslexia and learned business by doing—launching Student magazine, founding Virgin Records, and later shaking up aviation with Virgin Atlantic.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaking up
Verb
-
Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Virgo August 23 – September 22 Change doesn’t have to be shocking right now (even though today’s aspects involve Uranus).—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Certain connections could use a rebalance during this alignment of stubborn Venus and shocking Uranus across your connection zone and your business sector.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaking%20up. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
