shakier; shakiest
1
: characterized by shakes
shaky timber
2
a
: lacking stability : precarious
a shaky economy
performed well after a shaky start
b
: lacking in firmness (as of beliefs or principles)
c
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky experimental procedures
shaky data
3
a
: somewhat unsound in health
b
: characterized by shaking
4
: likely to give way or break down
shakily adverb
shakiness noun

Examples of shaky in a Sentence

She took a few shaky steps before she collapsed. Her commitment to the cause seems shaky. Their marriage is on shaky ground. The team has performed better lately after getting off to a shaky start.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But Baltimore’s pass defense has been shaky, which should provide hope for the Broncos. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 3 Nov. 2024 Whiskey in the ultra-premium segment has shown resilience in holding value throughout a shaky 2024, where products in lower luxury segments have struggled in an apparent overcorrection from the COVID-era mini boom. Chris Perugini, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Other companies in the industrial gas space have a shakier track record at this, especially for clean hydrogen projects. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024 The company's shaky financial position has invited short sellers, or investors that bet that a company's stock price will sink, to pile into DJT shares. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shaky 

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shaky was in 1703

Dictionary Entries Near shaky

Cite this Entry

“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

shaky

adjective
shakier; shakiest
1
a
: lacking firmness
b
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky data
2
: marked by shaking : trembling
3
: likely to give way or break down
shakily adverb
shakiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shaky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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