shakier; shakiest
1
: characterized by shakes
shaky timber
2
a
: lacking stability : precarious
a shaky economy
performed well after a shaky start
b
: lacking in firmness (as of beliefs or principles)
c
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky experimental procedures
shaky data
3
a
: somewhat unsound in health
b
: characterized by shaking
4
: likely to give way or break down
Examples of shaky in a Sentence
She took a few shaky steps before she collapsed.
Her commitment to the cause seems shaky.
Their marriage is on shaky ground.
The team has performed better lately after getting off to a shaky start.
Recent Examples on the Web
American medicine has seen the consequences of building on such a shaky foundation before.
—
Craig Spencer, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025
The team’s rotation was a little shaky, with starters Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and John Lackey, who was then near the end of his career, all seeing their ERAs inflate that month, thanks to the trio giving up easy runs.
—Andy Frye, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But that will be despite a really shaky offensive line — and Cincy’s defense might be as bad as Joe Cool is good.
—Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
If that guy shows up, the Rams might have enough to make up for what could be a shaky defense.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Craig Spencer, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025
The team’s rotation was a little shaky, with starters Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and John Lackey, who was then near the end of his career, all seeing their ERAs inflate that month, thanks to the trio giving up easy runs.
—Andy Frye, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But that will be despite a really shaky offensive line — and Cincy’s defense might be as bad as Joe Cool is good.
—Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
If that guy shows up, the Rams might have enough to make up for what could be a shaky defense.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shaky
adjective
shakier; shakiest
1
a
: lacking firmness
b
: lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
shaky data
2
: marked by shaking : trembling
3
: likely to give way or break down
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