SHAKE Synonyms: 163 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'shake' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shake are agitate , convulse , and rock . While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. // shake well before using

Q: When could 'agitate' be used to replace 'shake'?

The words agitate and shake can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring. // an ocean agitated by storms

Q: When can 'convulse' be used instead of 'shake'?

The words convulse and shake are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm. // spectators were convulsed with laughter

Q: When might 'rock' be a better fit than 'shake'?

In some situations, the words rock and shake are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval. // the whole city was rocked by the explosion

shake 1 of 2

verb

ˈshāk

Definition of shake next

as in to shudder

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements the bus rattled and shook as it barreled down a rutted road

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to avoid

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery we shook our pursuers by cutting through the abandoned lot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shake

2 of 2

noun

as in minute

a very small space of time I'll be there in two shakes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shivers

shakes plural a sense of panic or extreme nervousness I get the shakes every time I hear her voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in quake

a shaking of the earth the shake was a modest 3.1 on the Richter scale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shake different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shake are agitate, convulse, and rock. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

When could agitate be used to replace shake?

The words agitate and shake can be used in similar contexts, but agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When can convulse be used instead of shake?

The words convulse and shake are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

When might rock be a better fit than shake?

In some situations, the words rock and shake are roughly equivalent. However, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of shake

Verb

Warner, however, was looking to shake things up and get Bogart out of being typecast as a gangster. —

Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2024 In these buildings, the ground floor can be held up by flimsy, skinny poles that can collapse when shaken side-to-side in an earthquake. —

Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

Pour in a mixing cup: 1/4 cup oil, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, 1.5 teaspoons Kosher salt, a few shakes of vanilla sugar. —

Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 9 Dec. 2024 Basically, shakes tend to be an amazing source of protein, but not much else. —

Caroline Tien, SELF, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shake

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shake

Verb

Corporate world shudders The logo of UnitedHealth appears on the side of one of its office buildings in Santa Ana, California, on April 13, 2020.

Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
For good or ill, never let anything stand in the way of a star who’s been told (shudder) to stick to character parts.

Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024