1
as in jerked
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 avoided
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 shook
When Bradford delivered the detail about the sandwich, the board and attendees laughed and shook their heads.
—
Chevall Pryce, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Stocks shook off an early stumble to finish with slim gains on Wall Street Thursday and close out their first winning week since the start of the Iran war.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The explosion shook part of the city.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Diller’s family cried and shook their heads in court at the verdict after Rivera ducked the murder charge.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
During his appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen Tuesday, the actor weighed in on the Summer House drama that shook the internet earlier in the day.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
Then, the two men smiled and shook hands as Lincoln’s boots hit the floor.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
In a historic move that instantly shook the MLB, the Mariners agreed to an eight-year, $95 million extension (up to $130 million) with top prospect Colt Emerson, according to MLB insider Robert Murray.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
For the present-day Benhamou family, three days that shook France are still fresh on their minds.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Chevall Pryce, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Stocks shook off an early stumble to finish with slim gains on Wall Street Thursday and close out their first winning week since the start of the Iran war.
—Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The explosion shook part of the city.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Diller’s family cried and shook their heads in court at the verdict after Rivera ducked the murder charge.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
During his appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen Tuesday, the actor weighed in on the Summer House drama that shook the internet earlier in the day.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026
Then, the two men smiled and shook hands as Lincoln’s boots hit the floor.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
In a historic move that instantly shook the MLB, the Mariners agreed to an eight-year, $95 million extension (up to $130 million) with top prospect Colt Emerson, according to MLB insider Robert Murray.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
For the present-day Benhamou family, three days that shook France are still fresh on their minds.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shook
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Investigators believe Nunez evaded law enforcement by obtaining false identification documents and fleeing the country.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For a moment, the plane quivered around them like a greyhound straining on a leash.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 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
-
The roar of the crowds gathered at the base of the 101-story building still echoed in his ears, and the thrill of scaling its ten abstract metal dragons vibrated through his body.—
Outside,
Outside,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Even the bathrooms down the hall vibrated with rhythm.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shook. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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