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Definitions

shake down

VERB
blackmail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
badger coerce extort
STRONG
bleed compel demand exact force milk ransom shake squeeze threaten
WEAK
hold to ransom put the shake on
Antonyms
STRONG
give save
VERB
dig
Synonyms
STRONGEST
delve find go into retrieve search sift uncover unearth
STRONG
expose extricate inquire probe prospect research root
WEAK
bring to light come across come up with dig down look into search high and low turn inside out turn upside down
VERB
elicit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bring out evoke extort extract obtain wrest wring
STRONG
badger bite bring cause derive educe evince evolve exact fetch milk rattle shake squeeze
WEAK
arm-twist bring forth bring to light call forth give rise to put muscle on put the arm on
Antonyms
STRONG
disregard ignore miss neglect overlook
WEAK
cover hide repress suppress
VERB
exact
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compel extort extract impose wrest
STRONG
assess bleed call challenge claim coerce command constrain force gouge levy oblige pinch postulate require requisition solicit squeeze wrench wring
WEAK
insist upon lean on put on
Antonyms
STRONG
answer disapprove free give let go receive release
VERB
experiment
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analyze examine explore
STRONG
assay diagnose probe prove research sample scrutinize search speculate study try venture verify weigh
WEAK
fool with futz around mess around play around with practice with put to the test try on try on for size try out
Antonyms
STRONG
abstain discredit disprove ignore neglect
VERB
extort
Synonyms
STRONGEST
coerce elicit exact extract wrest wring
STRONG
bleed bully clip demand educe evince fleece force get gouge ice milk obtain pinch secure skin soak squeeze stick sting
WEAK
hold up make pay through nose pull one's leg put screws to put the arm on
Antonyms
STRONG
forfeit give let go loosen lose offer surrender yield
VERB
frisk
Synonyms
STRONG
check fan inspect
WEAK
run over
VERB
practice
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exercise hone prepare rehearse study train warm up work work out
STRONG
discipline dress drill habituate iterate polish recite sharpen
WEAK
become seasoned build up do again dress rehearse dry run go over run through try out tune up walk through
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forget ignore neglect
STRONG
dull
WEAK
cease halt stop
VERB
ransack
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comb gut loot pillage plunder raid rob scour seize take away
STRONG
appropriate despoil explore ferret filch hunt investigate lift maraud overhaul peer pilfer pinch poach probe pry purloin rake rape ravish rifle rummage rustle sack scan scrutinize search seek sound spoil spy steal strip thieve
WEAK
go over with a fine-tooth comb go through lay waste leave no stone unturned look all over for look high and low look into make off with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
give offer protect receive
STRONG
find ignore neglect order organize
WEAK
care for clean neaten tidy
VERB
rummage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comb forage poke scour
STRONG
delve disarrange disarray disorder disorganize disrupt disturb examine explore fish grub hunt jumble rake root seek shake spy toss
WEAK
beat the bushes dig out ferret out leave no stone unturned look high and low mess up mix up search high heaven turn inside out turn upside down
Antonyms
STRONG
arrange calm cover neaten neglect order organize soothe systematize
VERB
screw
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cheat
STRONG
bilk bleed chisel coerce constrain defraud do exact extort extract force oppress pinch pressurize ream squeeze wrench wrest wring
WEAK
hold a knife to put screws to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
give
STRONG
help
VERB
search
Synonyms
STRONGEST
check comb examine explore go through hunt hunt for inspect investigate look probe ransack scan scour scout scrutinize seek sift
STRONG
beat ferret forage frisk grope grub inquire prospect pry quest rake root rummage study
WEAK
beat about cast about chase after go in quest of go over with a fine-tooth comb gun for leave no stone unturned look for look high and low look over poke into rifle through run down smell around track down turn inside out turn upside down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore neglect overlook
STRONG
cover
WEAK
find
VERB
squeeze
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extract pinch wring
STRONG
bleed extort milk oppress pressure pressurize wrench
WEAK
bring pressure to bear eke out lean on put screws to
Antonyms
WEAK
donate expand give
VERB
test
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analyze assess check confirm demonstrate investigate prove question try verify
STRONG
assay experiment inquire substantiate validate
WEAK
experimentalize give a tryout look into make a trial run match up prove out put to the test run idea by someone run it up a flagpole see how it flies see how wind blows send up a balloon stack up try on try on for size try out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discredit disprove invalidate
VERB
wring
Synonyms
STRONGEST
draw out extort extract squeeze wrench wrest
STRONG
choke coerce compress exact force gouge hurt pain pinch pry push screw strain strangle throttle turn
Antonyms
STRONG
aid assist assuage calm free give help leave alone let go placate please release soothe
WEAK
untwist

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.

The precedent also encourages plaintiff attorneys to shake down companies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

So how will the "usual suspects", the "softies", the "newbies" and the "toadies" shake down?

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2025

In a statement to The Times, Barta dismissed Zucker’s lawsuit as another attempt to shake down his client for personal gain.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2024

Fewer than half of workers now trust their organization to give them a fair shake, down to 46% from 54% last year, according to a separate survey from the Society for Human Resource Management.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2023

“No, nothing's ever lost. We have ways to shake down your clinkers for you.”

From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury