Synonyms of shaft

shaft

noun

ˈshaft 

1

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

• beam
• ray
• laser
• sunbeam
• spotlight
• moonbeam
• sunburst

2

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

• spear
• javelin
• lance
• pike
• dart
• pikestaff
• spike
• trident
• harpoon
• halberd
• leister
• gaff

3

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

• injustice
• wrong
• injury
• inequity
• insult
• unfairness
• raw deal
• unjustness
• disservice
• slight
• offense
• beef
• slur
• indignity
• affront
• outrage
• grievance
• complaint
• put-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• equity
• justice
• fairness
• equitableness
• cricket

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shaft

As the years go by, the hair shaft tends to thin out, resulting in strands that are more fragile, dull, and brittle. — Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 31 July 2026

The lawsuit contends that Garcia-Sanchez was working on or about the 14th floor and fell to the bottom of the elevator shaft. — Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

An unexcavated burial shaft within his tomb may reveal more information about him and his role in the Egyptian Empire. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026

Call it the canary yellow uniforms in the coal mine — except the Red Sox have shot up the elevator shaft, bursting from their subterranean crypt. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 July 2026