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shakable

shakable

1 5.1
Easy to weaken or make less certain under pressure
  • adjective
  • /ˈʃeɪkəbl/
: inestable
  • Her beliefs about the future were shakable, as new evidence made her reconsider her plans.

Examples

  • "I looked up what a steadfast person would be like, and the dictionary says, "One marked by firm determination or resolution—not shakable—of firm convictions and strong resolve."

    Blog text (21)
  • The team's confidence was shakable after their recent loss, leaving them uncertain for the upcoming match.

  • Despite his efforts, the foundation of the project proved shakable, causing the whole plan to collapse.

Synonyms

shakeable
vsshakable
1 4.6

Easily made less certain, for example a person's belief or confidence

is written without the extra e in modern form

Antonyms

467 2.3

Not likely to change and stays steady over time

How Stable

secure
443 3.2
stable
467 2.3
shakable
1 5.1
shaky
71 3.3
unstable
128 4.4
precarious
46 7.6

Surface Forms

shakable positive
shakabler comparative
shakablest superlative

Morphology

shakable = shake (transparent) = shake + able

Formed by adding the productive suffix '-able' to the verb 'shake', giving a straightforward meaning 'able to be shaken' which learners can derive.

Etymology

Shakable comes from the simple verb shake, which means 'to move or disturb suddenly', and the ending -able, which means 'can be'. So shakable literally means 'can be shaken', which is why it describes something that can be weakened or disturbed.