Definitions

shake down

VERB

blackmail

Synonyms

STRONGEST

badger coerce extort

STRONG

bleed compel demand exact force milk ransom shake squeeze threaten

WEAK

hold to ransom put the shake on

Antonyms

STRONG

give save

VERB

dig

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delve find go into retrieve search sift uncover unearth

STRONG

expose extricate inquire probe prospect research root

WEAK

bring to light come across come up with dig down look into search high and low turn inside out turn upside down

VERB

elicit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bring out evoke extort extract obtain wrest wring

STRONG

badger bite bring cause derive educe evince evolve exact fetch milk rattle shake squeeze

WEAK

arm-twist bring forth bring to light call forth give rise to put muscle on put the arm on

Antonyms

STRONG

disregard ignore miss neglect overlook

WEAK

cover hide repress suppress

VERB

exact

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compel extort extract impose wrest

STRONG

assess bleed call challenge claim coerce command constrain force gouge levy oblige pinch postulate require requisition solicit squeeze wrench wring

WEAK

insist upon lean on put on

Antonyms

STRONG

answer disapprove free give let go receive release

VERB

experiment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

analyze examine explore

STRONG

assay diagnose probe prove research sample scrutinize search speculate study try venture verify weigh

WEAK

fool with futz around mess around play around with practice with put to the test try on try on for size try out

Antonyms

STRONG

abstain discredit disprove ignore neglect

VERB

extort

Synonyms

STRONGEST

coerce elicit exact extract wrest wring

STRONG

bleed bully clip demand educe evince fleece force get gouge ice milk obtain pinch secure skin soak squeeze stick sting

WEAK

hold up make pay through nose pull one's leg put screws to put the arm on

Antonyms

STRONG

forfeit give let go loosen lose offer surrender yield

VERB

frisk

Synonyms

STRONG

check fan inspect

WEAK

run over

VERB

practice

Synonyms

STRONGEST

exercise hone prepare rehearse study train warm up work work out

STRONG

discipline dress drill habituate iterate polish recite sharpen

WEAK

become seasoned build up do again dress rehearse dry run go over run through try out tune up walk through

Antonyms

STRONGEST

forget ignore neglect

STRONG

dull

WEAK

cease halt stop

VERB

ransack

Synonyms

STRONGEST

comb gut loot pillage plunder raid rob scour seize take away

STRONG

appropriate despoil explore ferret filch hunt investigate lift maraud overhaul peer pilfer pinch poach probe pry purloin rake rape ravish rifle rummage rustle sack scan scrutinize search seek sound spoil spy steal strip thieve

WEAK

go over with a fine-tooth comb go through lay waste leave no stone unturned look all over for look high and low look into make off with

Antonyms

STRONGEST

give offer protect receive

STRONG

find ignore neglect order organize

WEAK

care for clean neaten tidy

VERB

rummage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

comb forage poke scour

STRONG

delve disarrange disarray disorder disorganize disrupt disturb examine explore fish grub hunt jumble rake root seek shake spy toss

WEAK

beat the bushes dig out ferret out leave no stone unturned look high and low mess up mix up search high heaven turn inside out turn upside down

Antonyms

STRONG

arrange calm cover neaten neglect order organize soothe systematize

VERB

screw

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cheat

STRONG

bilk bleed chisel coerce constrain defraud do exact extort extract force oppress pinch pressurize ream squeeze wrench wrest wring

WEAK

hold a knife to put screws to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

give

STRONG

help

VERB

Synonyms

STRONGEST

check comb examine explore go through hunt hunt for inspect investigate look probe ransack scan scour scout scrutinize seek sift

STRONG

beat ferret forage frisk grope grub inquire prospect pry quest rake root rummage study

WEAK

beat about cast about chase after go in quest of go over with a fine-tooth comb gun for leave no stone unturned look for look high and low look over poke into rifle through run down smell around track down turn inside out turn upside down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore neglect overlook

STRONG

cover

WEAK

find

VERB

squeeze

Synonyms

STRONGEST

extract pinch wring

STRONG

bleed extort milk oppress pressure pressurize wrench

WEAK

bring pressure to bear eke out lean on put screws to

Antonyms

WEAK

donate expand give

VERB

test

Synonyms

STRONGEST

analyze assess check confirm demonstrate investigate prove question try verify

STRONG

assay experiment inquire substantiate validate

WEAK

experimentalize give a tryout look into make a trial run match up prove out put to the test run idea by someone run it up a flagpole see how it flies see how wind blows send up a balloon stack up try on try on for size try out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

discredit disprove invalidate

VERB

wring

Synonyms

STRONGEST

draw out extort extract squeeze wrench wrest

STRONG

choke coerce compress exact force gouge hurt pain pinch pry push screw strain strangle throttle turn

Antonyms

STRONG

aid assist assuage calm free give help leave alone let go placate please release soothe

WEAK

untwist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The precedent also encourages plaintiff attorneys to shake down companies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

So how will the "usual suspects", the "softies", the "newbies" and the "toadies" shake down?

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2025

Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy’s attorney is accusing NFL veteran Michael Oher, whose story inspired ‘The Blind Side,’ of trying to shake down the couple.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2023

Fewer than half of workers now trust their organization to give them a fair shake, down to 46% from 54% last year, according to a separate survey from the Society for Human Resource Management.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2023

“No, nothing's ever lost. We have ways to shake down your clinkers for you.”

From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury

shake down

Example Sentences

Related Words