Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

shake

[sheyk] / ʃeɪk /
VERB
quiver, tremble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
convulse disturb jolt rattle rock roil shudder sway swing upset wave
STRONG
agitate brandish bump chatter churn commove concuss discompose disquiet dither dodder flap flicker flit flitter flourish fluctuate flutter jar jerk jog joggle jounce move oscillate palpitate perturb quail quake quaver reel ruffle shimmer shimmy shiver stagger succuss totter tremor twitter vibrate waggle water whip wobble
WEAK
set in motion stir up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
steady
STRONG
be still
VERB
upset deeply
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disturb frighten horrify intimidate rattle throw undermine unnerve unsettle upset weaken worry
STRONG
bother consternate daunt discompose dismay distress impair jar move unstring
WEAK
knock the props out (from under) make waves throw a curve
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appease calm comfort delight encourage help make happy please reassure soothe
STRONG
aid
WEAK
placate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

New Zealand was beginning to shake off years of economic weakness when the Middle East conflict began.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

A smiling Fury made his entrance in typical fashion - dancing onto the stage and playing to the crowd before crossing immediately to shake Makhmudov's hand.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

More than 30 years before Elon Musk unveiled the Tesla Model X, another entrepreneur sought to shake up the auto world with a futuristic vehicle whose doors opened like a bird’s wings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

He experimented with Tim Weah at outside back, where he has played for his club teams, and tried unsuccessfully to shake Christian Pulisic out of a career-long scoreless streak by playing him as a striker.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

I tried to gently shake her off, but she only fluttered her wings and continued her search.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff