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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1
as in bunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake down
Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024
Speaking of Harper, he’s been in Hong Kong this whole time trying to shake down his ex-wife, Marion.
—Sarene Leeds, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
The flashback that opened the prior episode showed us events — Masa’s shakedown of a man at Zen’s school and subsequent report to Himé — Suzie might have imagined but could not have witnessed.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shake down 
Verb
He’d been convicted in 1971 for felony weapons possession after being caught shaking down a different nightclub, serving 20 months in prison.
—Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024
Speaking of Harper, he’s been in Hong Kong this whole time trying to shake down his ex-wife, Marion.
—Sarene Leeds, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Noun
The fridge and pantry may be overflowing and need a shakedown to toss what has expired.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
The flashback that opened the prior episode showed us events — Masa’s shakedown of a man at Zen’s school and subsequent report to Himé — Suzie might have imagined but could not have witnessed.
—Chris Klimek, Vulture, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
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Mark Darcy, however... While Daniel may have been able to cheat death, Mark, sadly, was not.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 Feb. 2025
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He’s chosen to blatantly cheat and put millions of Americans’ lives at risk in an effort to hold on to power.—
Rebecca Schneid,
TIME,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In one bunk room for prison staff, this one completely burnt out, the small windows have inexplicably turned red.—
Scott Peterson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
31 Jan. 2025
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When Flora opened the door, Dani rushed in and fell on Flora’s bunk, dramatically throwing the flyers everywhere.—
Sheila Heti,
The New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Constructor Notes The grid for this puzzle involved a lot of trial and error for me.—
Sam Corbin,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
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Determining those conditions for red blood cells took a lot of trial and error.—
Nicola Twilley,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This allows drones and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets to enter electromagnetic warfare (EW) environments that are being occupied by multiple forces.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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Between 1947 and 1950, American reconnaissance planes thoroughly photographed the area for cartographic purposes.—
Rob Crossan,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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These are dunked in grapefruit ponzu or spicy kimchi dressing or simply squeezed with lemon.—
John Metcalfe,
The Mercury News,
14 Feb. 2025
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It’s further squeezed by competition from others in the space, including Etsy, Michael’s and Hobby Lobby, as well as big-box and online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Additionally, hammocks are an affordable way to add a playful element to bedrooms, playrooms, or family rooms.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2025
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There's a private pier, overwater hammocks, lounges nestled into the mangrove forest, and two miles of pristine beach.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Ground facilities and equipment for the production and tests have been completed and are operational, and the construction of the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on Hainan island is also proceeding as planned, according to CCTV.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2025
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Yes, Chef! will put 12 talented chefs against one another — each of whom has been nominated by their bosses, coworkers, friends and family — for the ultimate test.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Because the pool of potential mates is smaller at Yarber’s age, any search for a new companion or romantic partner requires a bit more creativity, said Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, director of the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.—
Allison Gilbert,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
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This search will get a major boost when the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches in May 2027.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near shake down
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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