WordLens

shake

1 of 2verb
/ʃeɪk/
Forms:shakes,shaking,shook,shaken
1

to move from side to side or up and down

  • The cat climbed the tree, causing the branches to shake with every agile movement.
  • The earthquake caused the lamp to swing and shake from side to side.
  • The boat sailed through choppy waters, causing it to shake with each wave that it encountered.
  • The thunderstorm brought heavy rain and strong winds, making the branches of the trees shake violently.
Synonyms:
rocksway
2

to cause someone or something to move up and down or from one side to the other with short rapid movements

A2transitive
  • She shakes the salad dressing vigorously to emulsify the ingredients.
  • The bartender shakes the cocktail shaker to mix the drink thoroughly.
  • The farmer shakes the apple tree to make the ripe fruits fall.
  • He gently shook the baby's rattle to entertain her.
  • The strong winds shook the branches of the trees outside.
Synonyms:
agitate
3

(of one's body) to involuntarily shake, as a response to fear or due to a particular condition

  • After the sudden loud noise, she couldn't help but shake with fright.
  • His hands started to shake as he approached the podium to deliver the speech.
  • The unexpected encounter with the wild animal caused him to shake with adrenaline.
  • The patient's weakened condition caused her to shake uncontrollably.
  • The eerie sound in the dark forest made the hiker's legs shake with unease.
Synonyms:
didder
4

to move or gesture a body part, typically a hand or head, to convey a greeting, emotion, or mental state

transitive
  • Jane shook her head in disbelief when she heard the surprising news.
  • The child enthusiastically shook his hands in the air to express his joy.
  • The teacher shook her finger in a playful manner to scold the mischievous student.
  • The athlete shook his fist in triumph after winning the championship.
  • In a silent agreement, they shook their heads to indicate their shared understanding.
5

to take someone's hand and move it up and down, mainly for greeting

B2transitive
  • In a traditional ceremony, the newlyweds shook hands with each member of the wedding party.
  • The two business partners shook hands, sealing the deal on their collaboration.
  • As a sign of mutual respect, the leaders shook hands in front of the gathered diplomats.
  • The coach shook each player's hand before the crucial match, instilling confidence in the team.
6

to rapidly and intensely move back and forth, causing vibrations or tremors

  • As the thunder roared, the windows began to shake with the intensity of the storm.
  • The enthusiastic crowd's cheers made the stadium shake with energy and excitement.
  • The intense bass from the concert speakers made the entire room shake.
Synonyms:
judder
7

to make something, particularly a belief or idea, less certain

transitive
  • The new evidence presented in court threatened to shake the foundations of the theory.
  • A series of conflicting reports began to shake her confidence in the accuracy of the news.
  • The unexpected turn of events started to shake the team's belief in their strategy.
  • The criticism from experts began to shake the credibility of the research findings.
  • The shocking revelation about the leader's actions started to shake the loyalty of his followers.
8

to cause someone to be emotionally disturbed or shocked

transitive
  • The news of the sudden accident shook the entire community.
  • Witnessing the intense argument between his parents shook the child emotionally.
  • The harrowing documentary on the war's impact shook the viewers.
  • The heartbreaking story in the novel had the power to shake even the most stoic readers.
  • The sudden loss of a dear friend shook her to the core, leaving her in disbelief.
Synonyms:
exciteshake upstimulatestir
9

to alter or transform something into a particular state through rapid and abrupt movements

  • She vigorously shook herself free from the stranger's hold.
  • He shook the snow loose from his boots.
  • She shook the crumbs clean from the tablecloth.
  • Feeling trapped, she shook herself loose from the unwanted embrace.
10

to free oneself from, discard, or avoid something

transitive
  • After years of therapy, she managed to shake the lingering trauma from her past.
  • Focused on personal growth, she sought to shake the feelings of self-doubt and embrace confidence.
  • The explorer aimed to shake off the fear and embark on a daring expedition.
  • He decided to shake his bad habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
  • The detective couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the case than meets the eye.
Synonyms:
throw offshake offescape from