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
Especially at a time when President Biden’s reelection chances look increasingly shaky and a pliant U.S. Supreme Court has shown its willingness to extend a get-out-of-jail-free card to Trump for his attempt to steal the 2020 election.
—
Mark Barabak, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024
Brennan Presley/Rashod Owens, Oklahoma State Breakdown: Despite the shaky play of Alan Bowman, the Cowboys still managed to produce two receivers with at least 800 yards.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2024
But that foundation is a shaky one for many residents of North Shuswap.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2024
Third-party, social unrest and foreign/military failure and success are the remaining uncertain, shaky keys.
—Allan J. Lichtman, New York Daily News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shaky 
Mark Barabak, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024
Brennan Presley/Rashod Owens, Oklahoma State Breakdown: Despite the shaky play of Alan Bowman, the Cowboys still managed to produce two receivers with at least 800 yards.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2024
But that foundation is a shaky one for many residents of North Shuswap.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2024
Third-party, social unrest and foreign/military failure and success are the remaining uncertain, shaky keys.
—Allan J. Lichtman, New York Daily News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shaky
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shaky.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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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