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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as in bunk
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake down
Npr Staff, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
Is the Egyptian really considering leaving Anfield at the end of the season or is this all part of a ploy to shake down Liverpool for as much money as possible?
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
The professor said the groups committed crimes, but their offenses were relatively petty by today’s standards: brawling and shakedowns of non-gang members for their bikes or lunch money.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Verb
In 2008, federal prosecutors accused Blagojevich of turning Illinois' government into a moneymaking operation for himself by trying to, among other things, shake down a children's hospital and racetrack owners.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
Is the Egyptian really considering leaving Anfield at the end of the season or is this all part of a ploy to shake down Liverpool for as much money as possible?
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
His ruling came after a prosecutor cited two reasons for seeking the dismissal — a lack of evidence proving that the crime happened, as well as the shakedown allegations.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
The professor said the groups committed crimes, but their offenses were relatively petty by today’s standards: brawling and shakedowns of non-gang members for their bikes or lunch money.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
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These are distinctions with meaningful differences: Smartphones are full-on computers in the pocket, tempting kids with nonstop streams of posts and videos and music and so much more, including instant access to AI bots that make cheating that much easier.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2025
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Broner reportedly is said to have cheated a current NBA All-Star out of $1.5 million and a former player out of $5 million in the games.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Three men stormed in with flashlights, going from bunk to bunk.—
Graydon Carter,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
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Photo : Dallas and Harris Photography The bunk room.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The movie inspired a very brief period of trial and error.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
17 Mar. 2025
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With a lot of trial and error, combined with a custom prototype furnace and specialized equipment, the team found how to combine the precise conditions, ingredients, and methods to produce 18 kg (39 lb) at a time.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Some historians might trace airborne warfare to earlier conflicts, when reconnaissance balloons offered eagle-eyed views of battlefields and troop movements.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
13 Mar. 2025
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Instead, Parker explained, the suspect was tasked by higher leadership within ISIS-K to conduct reconnaissance of the road leading to Abbey Gate and to see if there were any roadblocks or law enforcement along the route.—
Greg Wehner,
Fox News,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But skyrocketing home prices and stubbornly high mortgage rates in the past few years have squeezed many buyers to the sidelines of the market, raising concerns that this year will see a nationwide drop in sales even during the spring homebuying season.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
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This 2019 retread attempts to squeeze that same emotional response out of viewers, simply by recreating every frame through photorealistic CGI.—
Staff Author,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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During the gathering, after having a few drinks, the original poster fell asleep shirtless in a hammock.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
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Bask in the sound of lapping waves from the king-size bed, or laze in a hammock overlooking the water.—
Cameron Sperance,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And have these endurance tests proved helpful in real life?—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
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Today, the state regularly makes international headlines for its controversial nuclear program and missile tests that rattle nearby countries.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This desperate search for a veteran QB doesn’t inspire confidence.—
Dan Duggan,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
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The search is officially underway for the actors who will make up the storied Ingalls family in the streamer’s reboot of the classic ’70s drama.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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