shakeout

1 of 2

noun

shake·​out ˈshāk-ˌau̇t 

1

: the failure or retrenchment of a significant number of firms in the economy or a sector or an industry that usually results in a depressed market

2

: a period or process in which the relatively weak or unessential are eliminated

shake out

2 of 2

verb

shook out; shaken out; shaking out; shakes out

intransitive verb

: to prove to be in the end : turn out

wait to see how things shake out

Synonyms of shakeout

Verb

• prove
• fall out

Examples of shakeout in a Sentence

Verb

after hearing about all the elaborate planning, I can't wait to see how that wedding shakes out

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The move is getting stretched short-term with RSI pushing into the high 70s, so chasing strength up here comes with risk of a shakeout or sideways digestion. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026

The question is whether this is a black eye for the whole industry or a shakeout that boosts better managers and kills off the sloppy ones. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026

Verb

In the video, Milgrim is seen shaking out her arms before stepping up to the bar, wearing a powerlifting belt with her first name, pink shoes and knee-high socks. —Francie Ebert, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026

This outing could be embraced similarly depending on how the competition shakes out. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1982, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shakeout

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout