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
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
Then Mitchell got hot in the clutch, scoring nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range in overtime after a shaky first half that included 0-of-4 shooting from the field.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
By pushing the deportation debate, Trump is keeping the focus away from the negative economic news that has dented his approval rating thanks to the shaky rollout of his tariff plans and the ensuing roller coaster results in the stock markets.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
After a shaky leadoff routine, the squad dominated the event.
—Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
What’s ‘safe’ depends on the investor In shaky markets, many investors turn to cash equivalents — think high-yield savings accounts, US Treasury bills, money market funds or CDs.
—Nayeli Jaramillo-Plata, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
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Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
By pushing the deportation debate, Trump is keeping the focus away from the negative economic news that has dented his approval rating thanks to the shaky rollout of his tariff plans and the ensuing roller coaster results in the stock markets.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
After a shaky leadoff routine, the squad dominated the event.
—Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
What’s ‘safe’ depends on the investor In shaky markets, many investors turn to cash equivalents — think high-yield savings accounts, US Treasury bills, money market funds or CDs.
—Nayeli Jaramillo-Plata, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shaky
Cite this Entry
“Shaky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaky. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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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