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
The crime was not the only one that shook the state over the weekend.
—
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2026
His whole body shook, intimidating everyone.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
The earthquake shook at a depth of 9 miles, with its epicenter approximately 9 miles north-northwest of Grapevine.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Hamnet’s Jessie Buckley beat out the best-drama-actress competition—and in an upset that shook the room, her film about the love story between Agnes and William Shakespeare beat out The Secret Agent to win the award for best drama motion picture.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
While comedian Nikki Glaser returned after a successful first year hosting, this year the Globes shook things up a bit.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
As David told it, Geffen shook his head.
—Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
And Nacua indeed shook off the mistake to make one of the most critical plays of the Rams’ 34-31 win.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 11 Jan. 2026
And Tagovailoa shook off that early interception with a 9-yard scoring pass to Malik Washington — capping a ferocious seven-minute, 92-yard drive — and then a 38-yard TD strike to Jaylen Waddle.
—Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shook
Verb
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Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
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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.—
Verb
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The trio avoided politics because Patti's beliefs differed from Ronald and Nancy's conservative perspectives.—
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Some, especially those who deliberately avoided Amazon, said they should have been asked for their consent.—
Verb
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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.—
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The Greek writer Kay Cicellis, who died in 2001, might have shuddered at such a sunny view of fate.—
Verb
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The Ravens would find the endzone once again with nine minutes left in regulation after Lamar Jackson evaded heavy pressure from Pittsburgh's front seven to find Zay Flowers for a 50-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead, 17-13.—
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Out-of-state businesses that evaded city taxes by hiding city business income.—
Verb
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Bella escaped her family’s Houston, Texas, backyard on a rainy New Year's Eve in 2020.—
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The boyfriend and two of the girls died, but the youngest sister escaped.—
Verb
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As the meeting was ending, Vande Kolk’s cellphone vibrated.—
Cite this Entry
“Shook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shook. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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