shift

shift

verb

Definition of SHIFT

1

to change the place or position of <he shifted the vase closer to the wall so that it wouldn't get knocked over>

Synonyms budge, dislocate, displace, disturb, relocate, remove, reposition, shift, transfer, transpose

Related Words bear, carry, cart, convey, drive, haul, lug, tote, transmit, transplant, transport; replace, supersede, supplant; alter, make over, modify, redo, refashion, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, vary

Near Antonyms anchor, fix, freeze, moor, secure, set, stabilize; embed (also imbed), entrench (also intrench), implant, ingrain (also engrain), lodge, root

2

to change one's position <she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview>

Synonyms budge, locomote, shift, stir

Related Words fiddle, fidget, jiggle, squiggle, squirm, toss, twitch, wiggle, wriggle, writhe; rouse

Near Antonyms hang around, remain, stay, stick around, tarry; stabilize

Antonyms freeze, still

3

to pass from one form, state, or level to another <she watched the aurora in fascination as its colors shifted from green to blue>

Synonyms fluctuate, mutate, shift, snap, vary

Related Words metamorphose, morph, transmute; better, improve; deteriorate, worsen; turn around; seesaw, teeter, vacillate, waver

Antonyms plateau, stabilize

4

to give up (something) and take something else in return <my brother and I shifted seats just before takeoff so that he could sit by the window>

Synonyms commute, exchange, shift, substitute, swap, switch, trade

Related Words interchange; displace, replace, supersede; cede, hand over, surrender, yield; reciprocate

5

to meet one's day-to-day needs <left the others to shift for themselves>

Synonyms cope, do, fare, get by, get on, make out, manage, shift

Related Words carry on, contrive, scrape (by or through), scrounge; last, survive; eke out, scrape (out), squeeze, wrest, wring; afford, swing

Near Antonyms collapse, fail, fall short, fizzle, flounder; decline, peter (out), slump, wane; give up