as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in bunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
Examples 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 shake down
Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Oct. 2024
But shaking down or even crippling an ExxonMobil, DuPont, or Cargill will not change consumer behavior.
—Ed Hirs, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
Witnesses and victims of shakedowns were reluctant to come forward against a powerful public official who had the authority to award and deny lucrative public works contracts.
—Barbara McQuade, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shake down 
Verb
Edward Burke, who went to prison last month for shaking down business owners and developers.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Oct. 2024
But shaking down or even crippling an ExxonMobil, DuPont, or Cargill will not change consumer behavior.
—Ed Hirs, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Noun
Price allegedly asked to be personally notified about developments in the check fraud case of Mario Juarez, a two-time Oakland City Council candidate who was charged with a felony in January, barely two weeks after the alleged shakedown attempt.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
Witnesses and victims of shakedowns were reluctant to come forward against a powerful public official who had the authority to award and deny lucrative public works contracts.
—Barbara McQuade, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
-
Congressman/Senator/President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a monstrous piece of work who cheated his way to power from his teens on.The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 20 Dec. 2024
-
After all, the man lost to Georgia State while cheating.Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
In addition to the full-beam primary, belowdecks are two spacious ensuite cabins in each hull, with a bonus room for twin bunks or storage.Howard Walker, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
-
Sandy wisely asks Aesha to change the bunk assignments so Bri and Ellie don’t share a cabin.Emma Soren, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2024
Noun
-
These plans, however, aren’t without trial and error.Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 23 Dec. 2024
-
The obesity epidemic is a ticking time bomb, and the current system of trial and error isn't cutting it.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Microsoft said that the attackers seemed to be looking for information about what the company knew about them—in other words, Midnight Blizzard doing reconnaissance on Microsoft's research into the group.Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2024
-
During the Vietnam War, reconnaissance UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles, were deployed as decoys in combat.Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
As is typical in India, the bus was jam-packed with fragrant humanity, and I was squeezed into an aisle holding on for dear life as the bus lurched its way through town.New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Working in batches, place grated potatoes and onion in a kitchen towel; squeeze firmly over a medium bowl to remove excess liquid.Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The annual pass allows holders to book a Sea Terrace Cabin with a balcony and iconic red hammock.Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
-
Rooms are residential starting with 925-square-foot entry-level casitas with indoor-outdoor living areas, soaking tubs, and large terraces with hammocks.Emily Hochberg, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, as well as Florida and Alabama had, had the lowest positivity rate, with just 2.3 percent of tests coming back positive.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
-
Flick does not want to gamble on the last big test of 2024 and will go all out, and Raphinha has proven to be a guarantee on the left wing where Alejandro Balde combines good games with some bad ones.Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Following a national search, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the appointment of the city’s new police chief Friday.Richard Harrold, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2024
-
Google has estimated that each online search takes up 0.3 watt-hours worth of electricity, and the latest estimates on generating images with services like DALL-E peg one image at the same energy requirement as charging up your mobile phone.Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near shake down
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share