shook-up

1 of 3

adjective (1)

ˌshu̇k-ˈəp How to pronounce shook-up (audio)
Synonyms of shook-upnext
: nervously upset : agitated

shook up

2 of 3

adjective (2)

variants or less commonly shook-up
informal
: nervously upset : agitated, shaken
The driver of the southbound car was not injured but "was shook up from the ordeal," the department said.—Amy B. Wang

shook up

3 of 3

past tense and chiefly dialectal past participle of shake up

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1897, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1550, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shook-up was in 1550

Rhymes for shook-up

See All Rhymes for shook-up

Browse Nearby Words

shooketh
shook-up
shook up
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Cite this Entry

“Shook-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shook-up. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shook-up

adjective
ˌshu̇k-ˈəp
: nervously upset : agitated

More from Merriam-Webster on shook-up

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shook-up

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