as in to shock
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
the news that we had failed the auto inspection shook us up
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Recent Examples of shake up
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
Toy Story saw a happy-go-lucky cowboy figurine named Woody (Tom Hanks) have his world shaken up when his owner Andy (John Morris) received a cool, brand new action figure by the name of Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen).
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025
Those who act now—who move fast, think long, and deploy smart tools—won’t just survive this economic shake-up.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Verb
The trade war between the world’s two largest economies has shaken up trade in recent days, leading to an unstable market, worries about the impact on U.S. consumers and questions around a possible recession.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
Toy Story saw a happy-go-lucky cowboy figurine named Woody (Tom Hanks) have his world shaken up when his owner Andy (John Morris) received a cool, brand new action figure by the name of Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen).
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
Through cast shake-ups, city changes, and iconic moments that have left an imprint on reality television, Basketball Wives has remained a staple—constantly reinventing itself to stay relevant.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025
Those who act now—who move fast, think long, and deploy smart tools—won’t just survive this economic shake-up.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
Verb
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Another photographer told me how she was shocked by the amount of couples booking for years down the line.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
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Moment Mom Realizes What 11-Year-Old Daughter Had Been Doing With Scissors By Jack Beresford Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A mom was shocked to discover that her 11-year-old daughter had made some noticeable modifications to her school uniform.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In reality, the shakeout led to hundreds of companies falling by the wayside, but the strongest companies—Google and Amazon among them—really thrived.—
Steve Case,
Time,
1 Apr. 2025
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With so much uncertainty looming over the EV charging industry — plus the shakeout that typically occurs among nascent tech industries — there’s bound to be consolidation this year.—
Bob Woods,
CNBC,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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What To Know The shutdown announcement came hours after Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on federal authorities to revoke New York Helicopter Tours' operating permits.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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Meta will point to an increase in traffic to Instagram and Facebook during TikTok's brief shutdown in the United States in January as evidence of competition, according to court records.—
Jody Godoy,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Still, there is plenty here that should appall both Democrats and Republicans.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
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Dismay or appall you, sure, but never surprise you.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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This looked like the player who two-putted every green in the final round at St. Andrews, who missed two short putts in the closing stretch at Pinehurst No. 2 last summer to watch Bryson DeChambeau hoist that U.S. Open trophy.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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As of April 14, however, closing sales were ongoing.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Broadus stunned in a plush pink coat and matching fedora.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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In February 2013, Benedict stunned the Catholic world by becoming the first pope in six centuries to retire.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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