SHAFT Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

shaft

noun

ˈshaft

Definition of shaft

as in beam

a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object shafts of late-afternoon sunlight pierced the blinds and streaked the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in spear

a weapon with a long straight handle and sharp head or blade the footmen set their shafts so as to form a bank of steel against the enemy's charging cavalry

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in injustice

unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this the homeowners who were bought out are convinced they got the shaft in that deal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of shaft When electricity arrived in the late 19th century, factories ran on steam—one massive engine in the basement turning a central shaft, with belts carrying power to every machine. — Srini Attili, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 The news travelled faster than a Xenomorph through a ventilation shaft. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 19 July 2026 The man’s body was later recovered from the deep shaft by the local fire department, KTRK reported. — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 Prospect holes and shaft openings scarred the rough canyon walls at all levels. — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shaft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaft

Noun

Historic ceiling beams were painted white to lighten the atmosphere, while high-gloss wood paneling pairs with handblown glass light fixtures from Vetreria Venier in Murano.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 July 2026
Electron beam lithography has long been valued for its exceptional resolution, but conventional single-beam systems have generally been too slow for many high-throughput manufacturing applications.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Definition of beam

Noun

After neutralizing Tozawa, Breakker hit another super spear on Otis with Maxxine looking on from the top rope.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Their ability to absorb the energy of colliding cars—forcing rails to curl up, rather than spear—is the result of decades of clever engineering.

— Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Definition of spear

Noun

The film frames spirituality as both a visceral response to injustice, and an unquenchable thirst to cure it.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 July 2026
Our collective power to hold ICE accountable starts with looking out for our neighbors and speaking out against injustice in our communities.

— Kica Matos, Time, 17 July 2026

Definition of injustice

Noun

Born out of California, Sun Bum has built its reputation on protecting both the skin and hair from UV rays, and this leave-in conditioner is one of its bestselling products.

— Nadine Solano, Vogue, 24 July 2026
The temperature has long been too cold for sandals and shorts; the blustery autumn wind is no substitute for cosy rays of summer sun.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 July 2026

Definition of ray

Noun

Nebraska's Dyson Wicker won the pole vault at an NCAA-leading 19-2 1/4, and Texas A&M senior Zaza Nnamdi took javelin at 269-10.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 June 2026
In the girls field events, South Hadley’s Natalie Rios threw her personal best and achieved third best javelin throw in the state at 125-04.

— Hannah Hughes, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026

Definition of javelin

Noun

On the floor, that's usually triaging downtime alerts or chasing quality-hold paperwork—high-frequency, forgiving if the agent gets one wrong.

— Sanjay Brahmawar, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Jobs will be won and lost over the next six weeks, as the Lions attempt to right the wrongs that led to a NFC North fourth-place finish in 2025.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of wrong

Browse Nearby Words

shady

shaft

shafts

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Style

“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaft. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of shaft

noun

Example Sentences

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