as in shift
the act or an instance of changing position
the shifting of the toys to the front of the display was a direct result of their sudden popularity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in moving
to change the place or position of
he shifted the vase closer to the wall so that it wouldn't get knocked over
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in squirming
to change one's position
she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in changing
to pass from one form, state, or level to another
she watched the aurora in fascination as its colors shifted from green to blue
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4
as in exchanging
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 & Similar Words
5
as in coping
to meet one's day-to-day needs
left the others to shift for themselves
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shifting
Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The shifting perspective is the magic of the show.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The shifting explanations, the defense argues, suggest the decision may have been arbitrary.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Is shape-shifting is in her DNA?
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Tech companies appear to be particularly aggressive with profit shifting.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Her use of Auto-Tune and pitch-shifting won’t surprise anyone who’s heard either her solo records or her many collaborations with fellow Texas ambient composer claire rousay, but the context in which her voice is used might come as a shock.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
The administration has offered shifting rationales and timelines since the start of the conflict.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Paired with a 7-speed Shimano rear derailleur, the drivetrain ensures smooth, durable, and low-maintenance shifting, adaptable to varied terrain.
—New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2026
Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
The education ministry will issue guidelines for schools starting Sunday, with options such as adjusting timetables and shifting to online classes being considered.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The White House says the president wants to pair the defense increase with a 10% reduction in nondefense spending, partly through shifting some federal programs and responsibilities to state and local governments.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Instead, the White House offered frequently shifting rationales for its war and little outreach to the Iranian resistance.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
But new details shared by a lead investigator are shifting the narrative behind her disappearance.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Americans’ views of the relationship with Mexico have changed in light of these shifting trade dynamics.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2026
The marker could be an outlier rather than a sign of a shifting pattern.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Simply put, ordinary water is constantly shifting on a microscopic level.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Consumer advocates and some regulatory analysts have raised concerns that the separate rate proposal is not strong enough to fully protect non-data center customers from cost shifting related to new energy projects.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The shifting perspective is the magic of the show.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The shifting explanations, the defense argues, suggest the decision may have been arbitrary.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Is shape-shifting is in her DNA?
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Tech companies appear to be particularly aggressive with profit shifting.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Her use of Auto-Tune and pitch-shifting won’t surprise anyone who’s heard either her solo records or her many collaborations with fellow Texas ambient composer claire rousay, but the context in which her voice is used might come as a shock.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
The administration has offered shifting rationales and timelines since the start of the conflict.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Paired with a 7-speed Shimano rear derailleur, the drivetrain ensures smooth, durable, and low-maintenance shifting, adaptable to varied terrain.
—New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
According to Nicole Wegman of Ring Concierge, trends are shifting toward bold bands, distinctive settings, dual-band designs, and colorful gemstones that add personality and a modern twist.
—Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
The education ministry will issue guidelines for schools starting Sunday, with options such as adjusting timetables and shifting to online classes being considered.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The White House says the president wants to pair the defense increase with a 10% reduction in nondefense spending, partly through shifting some federal programs and responsibilities to state and local governments.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Instead, the White House offered frequently shifting rationales for its war and little outreach to the Iranian resistance.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
But new details shared by a lead investigator are shifting the narrative behind her disappearance.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Americans’ views of the relationship with Mexico have changed in light of these shifting trade dynamics.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2026
The marker could be an outlier rather than a sign of a shifting pattern.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Simply put, ordinary water is constantly shifting on a microscopic level.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
With Mercury, Mars, the Sun, Saturn, and Neptune all moving through Aries this month, along with a new moon in your sign on April 17, the focus shifts decisively to your body, your appearance, and your desires.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Pluto is in your supportive 4th house, guiding conversations with housemates or relatives about necessary shifts.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The average retirement age declined steadily in America for decades until around 1990, when the average started moving up again.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There will be no squirming tonight.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In the new iteration that would be Jack and his girlfriend Martha (Elle Fanning), whose introduction to the Taylors is one of many scenes played out with squirming discomfort.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One of the most important concepts in cosmology is redshift, which doesn’t just come from changing your gravitational field or the relative motion of the source and observer, but from the expanding Universe as well.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That would involve changing some state laws, persuading housing lenders to be more accommodating and overcoming resistance from construction unions.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the day, attendees moved from table to table, collecting information, exchanging contact details and building networks.—
J.M. Banks
March 31,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
According to investigators, Ghazali was also armed with a rifle and killed himself after exchanging gunfire with the synagogue's security guards.—
Jonah Kaplan,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Much of the West has been coping with prolonged drought conditions that are now being worsened by historically low seasonal snowpack and persistent record-breaking temperatures.—
Daniel Manzo,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
As an Iranian American and a university professor in the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, my way of coping is not to deny the harm America has done to my country and region.—
Mehrnoush Soroush,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Polling released March 19 shows nearly two-thirds of Americans believe Trump will deploy troops into Iran, even though more than half of them opposed the move.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Storms organizing to our west late Wednesday evening move into North Texas overnight.—
Michael Autovino,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But all that extra work of closing off a building, safely relocating the colony, and sanitizing absolutely everything is worth it to save the bats, right?—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But many of them might have already found that relocating to some countries, or obtaining a second passport in these places, has become harder over the last couple of years as these have tightened residency and descent rules.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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