shaft

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

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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

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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

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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 Curly hair is often drier than types 1 and 2 because oils cannot travel as easily down a curly hair shaft. Maggie Donahue, Health, 27 Sep. 2025 Without being properly harnessed, Wongel became separated from her seat during the 110-foot drop and fell to the bottom of the attraction's shaft, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's Division of Oil and Public Safety investigators said. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025 Ford has recalled more than 115,000 trucks that may have a faulty steering column upper shaft, which could result in loss of steering control. Greta Cross, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025 The 8-inch blending shaft is another plus. Olivia Tarantino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shaft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaft
Noun
  • There are vaulted ceilings, post-and-beam construction, two kitchens, two living rooms and a ballroom.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The receiver can self-calibrate, detect weak signals with high accuracy, and operate invisibly, all using beams of light.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Asparagus boasts 89 micrograms (mcg) of folate per four spears.
    Molly Burford, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2025
  • As the credits appeared on TV, Breakker hit Rollins with a spear, turning his back on his former stablemate of The Vision.
    Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In both nations, anger prevails for the injustices of those calling themselves saviors.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Young protesters in Madagascar and elsewhere are reimagining the manga characters’ fight against injustice as their own, anime experts say.
    Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Blu-ray release, announced on the eve of the Lumiere Film Festival’s International Classic Film Market (MIFC) in Lyon, follows the film collection’s premiere at this year’s La Rochelle Film Festival and a successful theatrical release in France.
    Ed Meza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Sun rays, or 'Lay’s Rays,' beam from the logo, a nod to the light that helps potatoes grow.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The tricky part is fitting hammer throw, javelin and discus into the equation.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The senior placed first at the Div. 1 championship in both javelin and discus.
    Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Many students have acted boldly, and occasionally made dumb mistakes, because they were outraged by historical wrongs, incendiary speakers, cultural stereotypes, or other provocations.
    Christopher L. Eisgruber, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The player himself is not motivated by proving United wrong, but rather to show up the critics who questioned his ability to be a top striker.
    Chris McKenna, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The thermal lance Caan uses to penetrate the safe was Santucci’s own burning bar.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Whether a cell in 1598 played a part in conceiving of the scrawny, hobbled hidalgo with a cardboard visor and a bent lance is arguable, but Cervantes’ far more traumatic enslavement from 1571 until 1576 must have formed his intimate comprehension of the difference between freedom and servitude.
    Ed Simon September 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Blaylock was charged with felony injury to a child with serious bodily injury, court records show.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Bronny James missed the Lakers' preseason finale against the Kings, listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaft. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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