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
-
The design leans rustic (give or take a couple of Togo chairs), with moss green paneling, tartan upholstery, and wood beams running throughout.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
When the spacecraft fly over radio-quiet antenna arrays, tuned to listen for the quietest radio waves coming from distant galaxies, the noise from the satellites' internal electronics obscures some of the precious observation frequencies even when Earth-facing internet beams are switched off.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Just like tajín, chamoy makes a delicious accent for watermelon, jicama and cucumber spears.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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However, this doesn’t mean that someone with strong justice cannot be angry or vigorous about addressing injustices.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Same as 20 years ago, when some Katrina evacuees navigated such injustices.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In an era when artificial intelligence can read X-rays, detect tumors, and recommend treatments, that question is no longer hypothetical.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Starting from the questionable proposition that revolutionary movements require energy and that energy in its most basic form is derived from solar rays, Chizhevsky listed some historical developments that lined up with astronomical developments.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Note, however, that although the initial criticism is what spurred this reaction, two wrongs never make a right.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
This does not mean genuine wrongs should be dismissed.—
Jonathan Alpert,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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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Their starting quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a left shoulder and toe injuries during the 49ers 17-13 Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk, a father of two, was rushed to the hospital following the shooting, but later died of his injuries.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Yet most of this capital sits in traditional stock and bond portfolios rather than supporting entrepreneurs who are tackling climate change, healthcare inequities, and other pressing social problems.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Travelers of color spoke up, calling out inequities and holding brands accountable.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shafts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shafts. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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