as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
the rumor is that he started his career shaking people down as an enforcer for the mob
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in bunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shake down
Npr Staff, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
Is the Egyptian really considering leaving Anfield at the end of the season or is this all part of a ploy to shake down Liverpool for as much money as possible?
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
The professor said the groups committed crimes, but their offenses were relatively petty by today’s standards: brawling and shakedowns of non-gang members for their bikes or lunch money.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Verb
In 2008, federal prosecutors accused Blagojevich of turning Illinois' government into a moneymaking operation for himself by trying to, among other things, shake down a children's hospital and racetrack owners.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
Is the Egyptian really considering leaving Anfield at the end of the season or is this all part of a ploy to shake down Liverpool for as much money as possible?
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
His ruling came after a prosecutor cited two reasons for seeking the dismissal — a lack of evidence proving that the crime happened, as well as the shakedown allegations.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
The professor said the groups committed crimes, but their offenses were relatively petty by today’s standards: brawling and shakedowns of non-gang members for their bikes or lunch money.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
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These are distinctions with meaningful differences: Smartphones are full-on computers in the pocket, tempting kids with nonstop streams of posts and videos and music and so much more, including instant access to AI bots that make cheating that much easier.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2025
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Broner reportedly is said to have cheated a current NBA All-Star out of $1.5 million and a former player out of $5 million in the games.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The upper level holds the bar and lounge, four guest rooms (including a six-bed bunk room, earmarked for the client’s grandchildren), and a large outdoor entertaining space.—
Rachel Gallaher,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2025
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My favorite hut is Zealand, because the wood-burning stove keeps the bunks toasty on chilly nights.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The movie inspired a very brief period of trial and error.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
17 Mar. 2025
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With a lot of trial and error, combined with a custom prototype furnace and specialized equipment, the team found how to combine the precise conditions, ingredients, and methods to produce 18 kg (39 lb) at a time.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The agency said the test demonstrated the reconnaissance drone’s ability to track multiple targets and monitor troop movements on land and at sea, potentially enhancing North Korea’s intelligence-gathering operations and ability to neutralize enemy threats.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Photos released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency showed Kim observing a large reconnaissance drone resembling the U.S.-made RQ-4B Global Hawk, first unveiled during a 2023 military exhibition.—
Kim Tong-Hyung,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This 2019 retread attempts to squeeze that same emotional response out of viewers, simply by recreating every frame through photorealistic CGI.—
Staff Author,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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But skyrocketing home prices and stubbornly high mortgage rates in the past few years have squeezed many buyers to the sidelines of the market, raising concerns that this year will see a nationwide drop in sales even during the spring homebuying season.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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According to a media release by Warner Bros, only select locations, Ratliff Family Villa, Ladies’ Villa, Rick & Chelsea's Room, breakfast and lunch restaurants, pool, beach, common areas, pathways, water hammocks, gym, boxing ring and Spirit House, were filmed at Four Seasons Koh Samui.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Elevate your feet Buy now: airplane foot hammock, amazon.com, $15 Keeping your feet elevated is crucial not only for comfort but also to cut down on the risk of deep vein thrombosis, or DVT—blood clots that can be caused by long periods of sitting.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Today, the state regularly makes international headlines for its controversial nuclear program and missile tests that rattle nearby countries.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
22 Mar. 2025
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And have these endurance tests proved helpful in real life?—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This desperate search for a veteran QB doesn’t inspire confidence.—
Dan Duggan,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
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The search is officially underway for the actors who will make up the storied Ingalls family in the streamer’s reboot of the classic ’70s drama.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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