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
Despite not having a consistent passing attack and having a shaky offensive line, the Oakland powerhouse was still somehow a few plays away from making a sixth consecutive state championship game.
—
Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
Only a few realized that in the long run, occupying the Palestinian territories would put Israel’s Jewish majority and its shaky democracy in jeopardy.
—Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shaky 
Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
Only a few realized that in the long run, occupying the Palestinian territories would put Israel’s Jewish majority and its shaky democracy in jeopardy.
—Tom Segev, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 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 3 May. 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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