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
The match was a shaky one for Anisimova, who made 28 unforced errors.
—
Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 12 July 2025
Alcaraz played a shaky game with a double fault and then a long forehand on Fritz’s chip return on set point.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Despite a shaky start in her quarterfinal match, Aryna Sabalenka showed her trademark resilience and power, battling back from a set down to defeat Laura Siegemund 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, a shaky kicking situation creates angst.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 12 July 2025
Alcaraz played a shaky game with a double fault and then a long forehand on Fritz’s chip return on set point.
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Despite a shaky start in her quarterfinal match, Aryna Sabalenka showed her trademark resilience and power, battling back from a set down to defeat Laura Siegemund 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, a shaky kicking situation creates angst.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 10 July 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 16 Jul. 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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