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 How the tanker’s propulsion system works The tanker uses electricity generated by a hydrogen engine housed in a container mounted on deck which powers two electric propulsion motors connected to two shafts. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026 Producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff are interested in Stallone’s script, and thus a shaft of light shines on his film writing for the first time. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 The collision sounded like two filing cabinets getting kicked down an elevator shaft. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2026 If the tuft is real feathers, with barbs around a shaft, Gonzo sits on the lineage that produced theropod dinosaurs—two-legged carnivores like Tyrannosaurus—and eventually birds. — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shaft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaft

Noun

One mirror focused the X-rays vertically, while the other focused them horizontally, concentrating the beam into a spot measuring just 180 × 330 nanometers.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Mickelson noted that every ceiling in the theater is different — a coffered ceiling with hexagonal panels gives way to plaster beams designed and painted to look like wood.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of beam

Noun

The authors said that Shanidar A’s wound may be the earliest example of an ancient human relative killed with a wooden spear.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Remnants of a wooden spear weren’t found near the Neanderthal’s remains, which is understandable since the material often decomposes so quickly.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of spear

Noun

Advertisement Dialogue does not mean abandoning our values, excusing aggression, or accepting injustice.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Al Sharpton Al Sharpton is a minister, activist, and one of the nation’s most distinguished leaders in the fight against injustice.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of injustice

Noun

The biggest challenges, its designers say, were mimicking the fade from crisp morning rays to bright noon light to a soft evening glow, and creating a sense of depth to conjure the distant sky.

— Emma Barker, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
To speed up the process, the team came up with the X-AutoMap software to work with the facility’s Hard X-ray Nanoprobe (HXN).

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of ray

Noun

In the end, director Duong, recognizing Aunt Hanh’s residual indignation, lances that boil.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
Additionally, objects of cultural patrimony such as five pairs of moccasins, one coupstick, one Cheyenne cradle board and one lance were returned in the ceremony.

— News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of lance

Noun

The ship’s 21 crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
His injuries were deemed non-life-threatening, and police said he is being taken to a Dallas-area hospital for further treatment.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of injury

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shady

shaft

shafts

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“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaft. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shaft

noun

Example Sentences

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