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
With the curtain soon to go up on CinemaCon, and as theaters look to add more lucrative premium formats in a still shaky market, AMC Entertainment and CJ 4DPLEX have partnered on 65 premium ScreenX and 4DX locations worldwide.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
Kentucky The Wildcats parted ways with one of the best coaches of all time last season, hired an alum with a shaky resume, turned over an entire roster and managed to make the Sweet 16 after all of it thanks to a rock-solid win over Illinois yesterday.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Though Cromwell and Anne worked together toward common goals—first the annulment and then religious reform—their alliance was always a rather shaky one.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Fearful of missing out on a technological revolution, investors poured in capital, fueling both lasting success stories and speculative ventures with shaky business models.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
Kentucky The Wildcats parted ways with one of the best coaches of all time last season, hired an alum with a shaky resume, turned over an entire roster and managed to make the Sweet 16 after all of it thanks to a rock-solid win over Illinois yesterday.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Though Cromwell and Anne worked together toward common goals—first the annulment and then religious reform—their alliance was always a rather shaky one.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Fearful of missing out on a technological revolution, investors poured in capital, fueling both lasting success stories and speculative ventures with shaky business models.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 19 Mar. 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 31 Mar. 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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