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
Plus, despite his size, Henderson is a tough and nasty pass blocker who can bully blitzing linebackers, which is an important trait behind what could be a shaky offensive line.
—
Chad Graff, New York Times, 18 June 2025
And the job security for McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier is shaky, at best.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Good luck navigating that with a cup of coffee and a shaky Wi-Fi connection.
—Anastasia Paruntseva, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Even Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet has been shaky in the first inning, allowing five runs in 14 first innings, a 3.21 ERA.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chad Graff, New York Times, 18 June 2025
And the job security for McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier is shaky, at best.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Good luck navigating that with a cup of coffee and a shaky Wi-Fi connection.
—Anastasia Paruntseva, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Even Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet has been shaky in the first inning, allowing five runs in 14 first innings, a 3.21 ERA.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 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 23 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share