View synonyms for

shakedown

Or shake-down

[sheyk-doun]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

extortion, as by blackmail or threats of violence.
a thorough search.
a shakedown of prison cells to uncover hidden drugs.
a bed, as of straw or blankets, spread on the floor.
any makeshift bed.
the act or process of shaking down.
Also called shakedown flight.��Also called shakedown cruise,.��a cruise or flight intended to prepare a new vessel or aircraft for regular service by accustoming the crew to its features and peculiarities, breaking in and adjusting machinery, etc.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of shakedown¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; noun, adj. use of verb phrase shake down

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“This is so transparently an abuse of power — a shakedown,” Stern said.

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Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end, first addressed the allegations Tuesday in a video posted on Instagram, in which he called the lawsuit “a shakedown.”

From

As a lifelong grifter, he can't help but keep returning to the site of a successful shakedown, and will drain a victim dry, as long as they keep complying.

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The professor said the groups committed crimes, but their offenses were relatively petty by today’s standards: brawling and shakedowns of non-gang members for their bikes or lunch money.

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To explain how and why the five men died, prosecutors called to the witness stand a parade of admitted murderers, thieves, scammers and shakedown artists, who testified in exchange for leniency in their own cases.

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Related Words

blackmail��

shake a stick at shake down

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