shakier

Shakier is the comparative form of the English adjective shaky, used to indicate that something is more unstable, uncertain, or unreliable than another similar thing. It can describe physical stability (a shakier ladder), signal quality (a shakier connection), or non-physical uncertainty (a shakier alibi). The form follows standard English inflection by adding -ier to words ending in -y or by general comparative construction.

Etymology: Shaky comes from shake + -y, with shake itself rooted in Old English sceacan or scacan, from Proto-Germanic roots. The comparative shakier emerged in Middle English and remains common in contemporary usage.

Usage notes: In formal writing, shakier may intensify concern about risk or credibility. It is often used with than in comparisons: "The second estimate is shakier than the first." It is less appropriate for precise measurements where "less certain" or "more uncertain" might be preferred; in such cases, "more unstable" or "less reliable" may be clearer.

Examples: The scaffolding looks shakier after the storm. The make-believe alibi sounded shakier as new witnesses came forward. The internet connection becomes shakier when multiple devices are on the network.

Related terms: shakiness (noun), shaky (positive adjective), more unstable, more uncertain.

See also: uncertainty, reliability, instability.