Definition

Adjective 1. Emotionally or physically disturbed; unsettled: The state of being agitated, upset, or unnerved, typically as a result of a sudden, frightening, or traumatic event. It implies a loss of composure or stability. 2. Weakened or impaired: Used to describe something, such as confidence or faith, that has been undermined or made less firm.

Usage and Examples

• Describing an emotional state after an event:
  • She was visibly shaken after witnessing the accident.
  • The bad news left him deeply shaken.
• Describing a physical state of agitation:
  • His hands were shaken as he tried to pour the tea.
• Describing weakened confidence or belief:
  • The scandal left the public's trust in the institution shaken.
  • My faith in him was shaken by his dishonesty.

Advanced Usage

• "shaken, not stirred": A famous phrase associated with the fictional character James Bond, specifying how he prefers his martini to be prepared: vigorously mixed with ice ("shaken") but not agitated to the point of being cloudy or over-diluted ("stirred"). This usage is idiomatic and specific to cocktail preparation.
  • "A vodka martini, shaken, not stirred."

Variants and Related Words

• Shake (verb): The base form. To move something quickly back and forth or up and down; to cause to tremble or vibrate; to unsettle emotionally.
  • Shake the bottle before use.
  • The explosion shook the building.
• Shook (verb): The simple past tense of "shake".
  • He shook my hand firmly.
• Shaky (adjective): Trembling or unsteady; not firm or stable.
  • She had a shaky voice.
  • The table is shaky.

Synonyms

• Upset: Emotionally disturbed or agitated.
• Disturbed: Having had one's peace or mental calm disrupted.
• Unnerved: Deprived of courage, confidence, or self-control.
• Rattled (informal): Made nervous or upset.
• Agitated: Feeling or appearing troubled or nervous.

Antonyms

• Composed: Having one's feelings and expression under control; calm.
• Unperturbed: Not concerned or worried.
• Steady: Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking.
• Calm: Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Shaken to the core: Extremely and profoundly disturbed or shocked.
  • The betrayal left her shaken to the core.
• Shake someone's confidence/faith: To cause someone to doubt or lose confidence in something.
  • The repeated failures began to shake his confidence.

Adjective

1. disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
   • retrieved his named from her jolted memory
   • the accident left her badly shaken