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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake up
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2025
Sometimes that coverage will be laudatory, like when Tisch shook up the old boy’s network, ordering the ending of the abuse of overtime, the use of official vehicles and the dangerous policy of high speed chases.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
Mandy Taheri, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
The American diet could use a shake-up and children should be encouraged to eat healthier, more unprocessed, foods as a general rule.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shake up 
Verb
How the bottom of the lineup will be shaken up with the additions of Michael Conforto and Hyeseong Kim.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2025
Sometimes that coverage will be laudatory, like when Tisch shook up the old boy’s network, ordering the ending of the abuse of overtime, the use of official vehicles and the dangerous policy of high speed chases.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
Noun
The media shake-up celebrated by Trump has raised concerns among some in the industry who fear that access to reporting the truth will become increasingly difficult as credentials are revoked and outlets too favorable of the president may not provide full coverage.
—Mandy Taheri, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
The American diet could use a shake-up and children should be encouraged to eat healthier, more unprocessed, foods as a general rule.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shake up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake up
Verb
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An Orange County teacher arrested last week for asking children to show their genitals was interviewed by law enforcement regarding the disappearance of Madeline Soto, the 13-year-old girl whose killing last year shocked Central Florida.—
Silas Morgan,
Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2025
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Soon enough another, bigger bobcat came walking through the backyard, which shocked the owner even more.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The post-Hollywood strikes shakeout seems to be stabilizing.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
2 Jan. 2025
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Between the lines: The study comes as major pharmacy chains including Walgreens and CVS continue to go through painful shakeouts.—
Tina Reed,
Axios,
9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Democrats are rallying in opposition to President Trump's spending freeze — and are threatening to allow a government shutdown next month.—
Hans Nichols,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
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Air traffic control, law enforcement, border protection, power grid maintenance and Social Security and Medicare payments would continue under a shutdown.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Dismay or appall you, sure, but never surprise you.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
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That kind of appalls me to think that people need not expect that of themselves.—
David Marchese Photograph by Mamadi Doumbouya,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2024
Noun
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What Happens Next With closing dates for these auctions rapidly approaching, bidding activity is expected to intensify as collectors make their final offers.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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Condo closings are officially underway at the iconic Art Deco property and are being handled by real estate brokerage Douglas Elliman.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Father stunned when stranger pays his restaurant bill A dad having breakfast with his kids was amazed when a stranger out of nowhere took care of his bill.—
Christine Rousselle,
Fox News,
8 Feb. 2025
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They were stunned by the incandescence of her skin.—
Beth Landman,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near shake up
Cite this Entry
“Shake up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20up. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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