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
Synonyms
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
Sanchez’s distribution remains extremely shaky, and there were more loose passes and kicks out of play under City pressure as Chelsea failed to manage their early lead.
—
Sam Lee, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Trace recently spoke out about the country star, whose shaky, technical-difficulty-ridden performance at the president’s inauguration festivities made headlines.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025
With a thousand-yard stare and shaky words, Fisher recalled watching his best friend get beaten to death and his sister-in-law beaten within an inch of her life.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
And because of it, a nation gathered its children in shaky arms and began preparations to go underground.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shaky 
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Sam Lee, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Trace recently spoke out about the country star, whose shaky, technical-difficulty-ridden performance at the president’s inauguration festivities made headlines.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025
With a thousand-yard stare and shaky words, Fisher recalled watching his best friend get beaten to death and his sister-in-law beaten within an inch of her life.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
And because of it, a nation gathered its children in shaky arms and began preparations to go underground.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shaky
Dictionary Entries Near shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 29 Jan. 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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