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 The work, which got underway Monday, also will entail installing new utility connections for surrounding businesses, building out a new shaft to the surface and then replacing the road surface, according to St. Paul Public Works Director Sean Kershaw. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 12 May 2025 The tools—mostly spear shafts and projectile points used for hunting reindeer and bison—were thought to have been crafted from whale bones, based on their porous appearance. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 May 2025 The team is standing at the bottom of an elevator shaft. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 May 2025 The telescopic shaft adjusts the total length as needed. New Atlas, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shaft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaft
Noun
  • With an overall length of 364-feet, beam of over 52-feet, and displacement of 4,550 gross tons, Y726 is one of the largest yachts by volume Oceanco has ever built.
    Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Excavations uncovered a section of wooden pipe built from three tree trunks and measuring over 3 feet across as well as some other beams and wicker used to construct the well.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Pricing transparency, proactive maintenance, and real-time updates are merely the tip of the spear.
    Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • Originally conceived as a way to demonstrate the program’s efficacy by putting its strongest athletes to the test, the Games represent the tip of the CrossFit spear.
    Calum Marsh, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • In her dissent, Sotomayor faulted the court for turning a blind eye to injustice.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
  • Founded in 2020 amid a national reckoning over racial injustice, the BWPC’s goal has been to create a public and private space for Black women in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The active ingredients in sunscreen can degrade over time and become less effective at blocking UV rays.
    Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 16 June 2025
  • In Fiji, a ray with light blue spots and a mask-like pattern on its face began appearing in the country’s fish markets.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Tristan Dion, javelin, Pine Crest junior: Beat out friend and senior teammate Sean Nagle’s school record in the javelin by throwing 47.88 meters at the 2A state meet and finished 10th; also played tennis and football for the Panthers.
    Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025
  • The decathlon will be contested Wednesday, June 11 (100, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400), and Thursday, June 12 (110 hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, 1,500).
    Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • With Section 899, Republicans are trying to test the truism about two wrongs not making a right.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
  • The plan must also force Israel to stop its bulldozing of buildings, seizure of Palestinian lands, and creation of ever-more Jewish settlements in the West Bank—and pay full reparations for all of these enormous wrongs.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Flame-retardant foams do little, and fire departments now favor high-pressure water lances or immersion pits.
    Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 9 June 2025
  • With about a thousand Mexicans in front of him, Yell charged alone with his sword in hand, apparently killing several Mexicans until brought down by multiple lance wounds.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • The injury happened with 4:55 left in the first quarter.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
  • On the other hand, injury risk and an inconsistent performance history are part of Gibson’s resume, so the deal may be closer to one-for-one.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaft. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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