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shaky

shaky

71 3.3
Not firm or safe and likely to fail
  • adjective
  • /ˈʃeɪki/
: inestable
  • Honey, unless he has some vision of how to cut this thing... ...we're on very shaky ground.
  • on shaky ground
  • a shaky foundation
  • look shaky

Even though you build a high tower with money IQ, the foundation is shaky, it's going to fall.

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Examples

  • My sense of balance (like everything else) was a little shaky, like having an inner ear infection.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The concern with cost was linked to the shaky financial ground of BAe's civil aircraft division.

    Academic text (1996)
  • I think the, the world is in a pretty shaky state at the moment.

  • The organization's kind of shaky right now.

  • In the life sciences, we see research bubbles built on shaky evidence that no one wants to question.

  • The scientific foundation of custody evaluations involving domestic violence is thus shaky at best.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Management shortcomings at some funds and shaky financial conditions in some host countries have produced disappointments.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The bridge felt shaky during the storm, making me worry about its safety.

  • Her confidence was shaky after receiving negative feedback on her project.

  • The economy is shaky right now, with many businesses struggling to stay afloat.

Synonyms

unstable
vsshaky
128 4.4

Not steady and likely to change, fail, or fall

is about being not firm and likely to face problems rather than change
precarious
vsshaky
46 7.6

In a dangerous, unstable position likely to fall or fail

is similar but adds a sense of danger to the insecurity
wobbly
vsshaky
33 3.6

Unsteady and likely to move from side to side

is about general insecurity and risk rather than side to side motion
flimsy
vsshaky
23 3.8

Thin and not strong so it breaks or tears easily

is about being insecure and likely to fail rather than only weak material
rickety
vsshaky
22 5.9

Unstable and likely to fall, like an old chair or bridge

is about general insecurity and risk of failure beyond poor construction
unsteady
vsshaky
16 3.3

Not firm or balanced and likely to fall

is about being insecure and likely to experience problems rather than just physical motion
wonky
vsshaky
6 7.7

Not steady or straight and likely to wobble

is about being insecure and likely to fail rather than being crooked or misaligned
unreliable
vsshaky
2 4.3

Not safe because it might fail or break

is about lack of firmness and risk of failure rather than being about trust
tottering
vsshaky
2 7.5

Unstable and likely to fall or fail soon

is broader, applying to any insecure thing likely to fail or have problems
tottery
vsshaky
1 8.4

Unsteady and shaky because of weakness or old age

is about general insecurity and likelihood of failure rather than weak human movement
unsturdy
vsshaky
4.8

Likely to wobble or break, like a weak chair

is about being insecure and likely to have problems beyond simple poor build

Antonyms

342 2.7

Able to be trusted to do what is expected

89 3.3

Firmly fixed so it will not move or break

Compounds

A nervous, unsteady display of skill that lacks confidence

How Stable

secure
89 3.3
shaky
71 3.3
unstable
128 4.4
precarious
46 7.6

Surface Forms

shaky positive

Morphology

shaky = shake (semi-transparent) = shake + y

The adjective is formed by '-y' but the meaning is a metaphorical extension from physical trembling to figurative instability, so derivation is plausible but not strictly literal.

Etymology

Shaky comes from the verb shake meaning 'to move back and forth' and the ending -y meaning 'tending to', so calling a plan or situation shaky gives an image of something that could 'shake' apart. That's why a shaky business, alliance, or promise feels not firm or secure and may fail.