shake down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shake downnext
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

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shakedown

2 of 2

noun

1
as in bunk

Related Words
2
as in test

Related Words
3
as in reconnaissance

Related Words

Example 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
Verb
The commission shakes down property owners by, say, requiring them to remove structures or give up development rights. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 May 2026 Will the agency adopt the model of personal injury attorneys and serial plaintiffs who have abused the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Unruh Civil Rights Act to shake down unsuspecting business owners for purely technical violations of the law? — Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
The submarine then spent several months in shakedown operations, testing, and evaluation to check its systems and performance. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026 The Ford Hypercar actually started initial shakedown testing on August 5 with Campbell, Mike Rockenfeller, and Tom Blomqvist. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
  1. cheat
  2. bunk
  3. test
  4. reconnaissance
  5. squeeze
  6. hammock
  7. rehearsal
  8. search
Verb
  • The company remains one of the world’s largest automakers and carries the legacy of Dieselgate, the emissions-cheating scandal that cost it billions of dollars in fines, settlements and other penalties.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, as families pour more resources into preparing young people for the exams, frequent cheating scandals and test cancellations can make their investment moot.
    — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • Kramnic was unable to climb on to the top bunk without injuring his knees and back.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Although my room had six bunks, my only roommate was a quiet man from Switzerland who was also traveling from LA to San Francisco, but by bike.
    — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of bunk
Noun
  • In July, Reeves shared a brief clip of test footage of the upcoming film, which included the first proper look at Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne in a new Batsuit as what appears to be snow falls around him.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The trial provided no evidence that this test will reduce cancer deaths by 25%.
    — H. Gilbert Welch, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of test
Noun
  • Chinese troops conducted reconnaissance and targeting exercises, obstacle breaching, coordinated attacks and battlefield medical drills before the exercise moved into its main operational phase, the South China Morning Post reported.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Lateral movement can produce indicators such as unusual account access, authentication activity, privilege escalation attempts or network reconnaissance.
    — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of reconnaissance
Verb
  • But the highlight of the spa is the infinity-edge rock pool, squeezed into a canyon between towering rock walls, with views out over the valley beyond.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • It’s being squeezed by all sorts of forces, commercial forces, corporate forces, political forces.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Noun
  • The large, breezy beachfront bungalows, meanwhile, have unobstructed views of the Pacific, whirlpool tubs, outside showers and hammocks that serve as prime spots for napping.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The private pool and patio was the perfect place for parents to take a mid-day dip during nap time and hammock hanging over a tiny plot of sand provided hours of fun for little ones.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hammock
Noun
  • The dance facilities will include a 100-seat theater for dance and four professional-size studios for dance instruction and rehearsal.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • These two took a trip to New York City for rehearsals this week, since Guillermo is there for his day job.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of rehearsal
Noun
  • One boat was traveling from Ubangi, in the northwest, to the capital of Kinshasa, and the other from Kinshasa to Lukolela, close to where the collision happened, Mputu said, and added that search efforts continue to find more victims and survivors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The next step was finding a director; according to sources, the search was thorough with not only Black Label and Thunder Road producers meeting potential candidates but the lead cast having their own meetings as well.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of search

Browse Nearby Words

shake a leg
shake down
shakedown
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Cite this Entry

“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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