1
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 journey winds through sweeping turns before plunging into a dramatic 910-degree double helix that spirals into a mine shaft, delivering both heart-pounding excitement and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
—
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
The boots featured a knee-high design, a sharp pointed toe, a lofty platform sole and a pleated front shaft.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
The crew members in the elevator shaft were not named.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
The roomy square toe and chunky geometric heel are on-trend and create a flattering silhouette, as does the shape of the faux-leather boot shaft, which blooms out slightly at the top to allow for full freedom of movement.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaft
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
The boots featured a knee-high design, a sharp pointed toe, a lofty platform sole and a pleated front shaft.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
The crew members in the elevator shaft were not named.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
The roomy square toe and chunky geometric heel are on-trend and create a flattering silhouette, as does the shape of the faux-leather boot shaft, which blooms out slightly at the top to allow for full freedom of movement.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shaft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaft
Noun
-
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The gourmet kitchen has inset cabinetry, beam ceilings, an expansive island, a professional six-burner dual-oven range, dual dishwashers and a custom pizza oven.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For the ideal filling, use medium-sized asparagus spears.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
For most of the season, the spears pointed outward.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What has always been so admirable is that Sony Classics has managed to do this both at home and abroad, centering not just domestic stories of injustice but international ones as well.—
Karen Kramer,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
-
What’s for certain is that Istook plans to keep telling stories, whether that’s fact-checking government officials, fighting misinformation or calling out an injustice.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Seen at Loewe, Tory Burch, and Saint Laurent, shield sunglasses are meant to arm you from the (still elusive) sun’s rays with an impossible aura of cool.—
Talia Abbas,
Vogue,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Since 2021, 18 states have enhanced their coverage to include checkups, X-rays, fillings, crowns, and dentures, while loosening annual dollar caps for benefits.—
Phil Galewitz,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Humans have been throwing javelins for a few hundred thousand years, yet performance has largely plateaued.—
R. Alexander Bentley,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The facility has 194 parking spaces and can seat more than 2,500 (1,908 seats in the grandstand, 508 in the berm overlooking the long throws area for javelin, hammer and discus and 200 seats by shot put).—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And not only that, but the lack of an adequate concept prevented the victims from fully understanding the wrong themselves.—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The arc of a wrongful-conviction story bends toward exoneration and release—a flawed but heartening correction of past wrongs.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their sizes range from 4 inches to 4 feet tall, and their heart- and lance-shaped leaves can be smooth, wavy, or variegated.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Warhorses charge, lances down, crashing through the tilts as lances break on shields and men topple from their steeds.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Powell was added to the Heat’s injury report on Thursday morning, with the team listing him as questionable for the contest because of right groin soreness.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The man who was wounded at the store is 54-year-old Anthony Brown, who remained hospitalized Thursday with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaft. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
