Synonyms of shafts

shafts

noun

plural of shaft

1

as in beams

a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object

shafts of late-afternoon sunlight pierced the blinds and streaked the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• beams
• rays
• sunbeams
• lasers
• spotlights
• moonbeams
• sunbursts

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

• spears
• javelins
• lances
• pike
• darts
• spikes
• pikestaffs
• tridents
• halberds
• harpoons
• leisters
• gaffs

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

• injustices
• wrongs
• injuries
• inequities
• insults
• disservices
• raw deals
• outrages
• indignities
• slurs
• offenses
• slights
• affronts
• grievances
• complaints
• beefs
• put-downs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• equities
• justices
• crickets

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shafts

The two elevators now form a pair of glass-and-steel shafts built into the canyon wall. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026

Having seen the shift from hickory to metal shafts, Flynn was also ahead of his time in his ability to foresee a distance problem in golf, an issue the professional game plans to address with a ball rollback in 2028. — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 16 June 2026

Upgrades will require significant reinforcement of some walls and elevator shafts, though engineers have found ways to do the work by pouring new concrete footings and installing additional steel bracing without significantly impinging on internal spaces or being visible on exterior surfaces. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

While rare earths will be the primary focus, exploration will also assess the potential for gold mining — the area is dotted with old, small-scale adits and shafts. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026

The mine shafts oblige them generously, particularly after a bender or a jilting. — Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026

That list includes several top-20 players and notables playing the brand’s popular iron shafts, such as Lydia Ko (KBS VX Lite 90) and Hye-Jin Choi (PGI 90). — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026

The condition of caskets, artifacts and human remains varied, said Stantec archeologist Ryan Peterson, noting that the number human remains found does not equal the number of grave shafts. — Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 14 Nov. 2025

Stairwells and elevator shafts acted like chimneys, and the absence of emergency lighting, signage and alternative exits prevented the safe evacuation of the hotel’s 238 guests, the indictment said. — CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025