: an act or instance of shaking up
specifically
: an extensive and often drastic reorganization
shook up; shaken up; shaking up; shakes up
2
: to jar by or as if by a physical shock
the collision shook up both drivers
3
: to effect an extensive and often drastic reorganization of
Examples of shake-up in a Sentence
Verb
the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up
Recent Examples on the Web
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
If that habit holds, his administration’s seizing control of pool rotations may prove even more consequential than any briefing room shake-up since the small group of reporters in the Oval hold the cherished task of questioning the president in close quarters.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2025
Lisa Stardust, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Battle brews over how to list homes A battle over how homeowners list their properties for sale is shaking up the housing industry, with big implications for sellers and buyers.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
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Noun
Economic experts speaking to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday also played into the idea that the trade shake-up was an opportunity for Beijing.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
If that habit holds, his administration’s seizing control of pool rotations may prove even more consequential than any briefing room shake-up since the small group of reporters in the Oval hold the cherished task of questioning the president in close quarters.
—Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
Here's the Biggest Lesson Pluto in Capricorn Taught You, Based on Your Zodiac Sign
Zoomers/Generation Z: 1996 to 2009
As Uranus moved from Capricorn to Aquarius to Pisces, Gen Z shook up the status quo.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Battle brews over how to list homes A battle over how homeowners list their properties for sale is shaking up the housing industry, with big implications for sellers and buyers.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake-up
Cite this Entry
“Shake-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shake-up. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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