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
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
As July turned to August in 2021, Ian Happ’s long-term future with the Chicago Cubs was in on shaky ground as a terrible first half saw his playing time reduced to coming off the bench for stretches.
—
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, smartphone feature upgrades have become more incremental, and in a shaky economy, people will be more than willing to hold on to their devices for just a bit longer.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Financial markets around the world have been shaky lately because of uncertainty about Trump’s trade war.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Fekete’s mother told WSB that relatives are having trouble communicating with the family on WhatsApp because Wi-Fi has been shaky following the quake.
—David Chiu, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, smartphone feature upgrades have become more incremental, and in a shaky economy, people will be more than willing to hold on to their devices for just a bit longer.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Financial markets around the world have been shaky lately because of uncertainty about Trump’s trade war.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Fekete’s mother told WSB that relatives are having trouble communicating with the family on WhatsApp because Wi-Fi has been shaky following the quake.
—David Chiu, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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