1
2
as in spears
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in injustices
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
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Recent Examples of shafts
The miners insist the two shafts were not connected.
—
Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shafts
Noun
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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
-
This change allowed researchers to better fine-tune the beams to their targets.—
Richard J. Price,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Or some good ol’ corn on the cob, or long broccolini spears.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Hoosiers can hunt frogs with bow and arrows, clubs, some firearms, or simply, their hands, but Plumier teaches those gathered at Goose Pond how to use gigs — long, multi-pronged spears that look a little bit like tridents.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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From a high school dropout and gang member who experienced homelessness to a PhD holder and founder of the Love Beyond Walls non-profit, Lester shares his journey navigating the trauma of poverty while exposing the systemic educational injustices that trap Black communities.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
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And for over 50 years, volunteers have been at the heart of the nonprofit, established by the United Methodist Church in 1973 to address social issues and injustices in the Miami area.—
Christina Mayo,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With the blue dress inspired by X-rays, Hawley explains the dress was going to be worn during an evening candlelight scene.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
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The instrument, which weighs four tons, will be installed in early 2026 to measure X-rays emitted from the plasma.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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Winning another ring can wash away a lot of wrongs.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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At a handful of locations, these spikes extended out to nearly a meter, looking more like lances than anything needed to ward off a close-in attack.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Benson returns in style Of the Sabres’ early-season injuries, Benson’s absence might have hurt the most.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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In 2024, the most recent year for which data is available, the company reported five injuries and one illness.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The report's authors also highlighted inequities in the food system, noting that the diets of the world's wealthiest 30% are responsible for 70% of the environmental issues caused by food systems.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
2 Oct. 2025
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Since at least a decade ago, protests in Morocco have often centered on regional inequities and the government’s priorities in Rabat.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shafts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shafts. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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