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
Sarene Leeds, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Edward Burke, who went to prison last month for shaking down business owners and developers.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Oct. 2024
Luke Smith, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Thursday's cartoons - inauguration shakedown, shaky legacy, and more
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By The Week US
published 19 December 2024
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber.
—The Week Us, theweek, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shake down 
Verb
Speaking of Harper, he’s been in Hong Kong this whole time trying to shake down his ex-wife, Marion.
—Sarene Leeds, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Edward Burke, who went to prison last month for shaking down business owners and developers.
—Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Oct. 2024
Noun
Teams will often use one of these days to complete a shakedown with their new car before the start of pre-season testing.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 3 Jan. 2025
Thursday's cartoons - inauguration shakedown, shaky legacy, and more
Newsletter sign up
By The Week US
published 19 December 2024
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber.
—The Week Us, theweek, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shake down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake down
Verb
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In February 1925, Ford cheated the electric chair by twisting up a bed sheet, suspending it from a bar over the door in the cell, and hanging himself.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Elon Musk has seemingly admitted to cheating — in the virtual world.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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He’s had pepper spray pumped into his cell and lived in solitary confinement for days at a time during an endless shuffle between hospital beds and jail bunks.—
Kallie Cox,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Jan. 2025
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Accommodations range from bunks in communal rooms to private yurts overlooking the Pacific.—
Megan Michelson,
Outside Online,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Therefore, adding probiotics to the diet might include some trial and error.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2025
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Spencer agreed, noting that figuring out what works may involve trial and error.—
Hannah Singleton,
Health,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Cartels are known to employ drones to transport drugs and weapons and even conduct reconnaissance missions to monitor law enforcement activities.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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For more than 60 years, the military has launched reconnaissance, communications, and missile warning satellites into orbit.—
Stephen Clark,
Ars Technica,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Why Juicing Might Not Benefit the Microbiome The process of squeezing liquid from fruits and veggies, casting off its pulp, leaves one critical nutrient on the table (or, rather, in the blender): fiber.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
4 Feb. 2025
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The guidance drops have stirred concerns among investors that EA can continue to squeeze growth from its tentpole FC soccer franchise in particular, which accounts for a big slice of its operating revenues.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
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These include Palmetto-Pine Country Club and Coral Oaks Golf Course, built in the 1980s within a beautiful oak hammock dating back a century.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2025
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Since first impressions are everything, guests are treated to an ocean-view check-in experience (the only one in the area), and the hotel’s beachfront is dotted with bean bags, hammocks and cozy daybeds.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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SpaceX also criticized delays in licensing Starship test flights last year.—
Stephen Clark,
Ars Technica,
1 Feb. 2025
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The worst aviation disaster in almost a quarter century is one of the first tests of Donald Trump’s second administration.—
The Editors,
The Atlantic,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
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General online searches can help travelers find destinations and attractions close enough to visit for the day, said AAA travel advisor Laura Hersey.—
Nathan Diller,
USA TODAY,
2 Feb. 2025
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By Rick Stroud Tampa Bay Times TAMPA — The Bucs’ search for a new offensive coordinator ended just a few doors down from Todd Bowles’ office.—
Rick Stroud,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near shake down
Cite this Entry
“Shake down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shake%20down. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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