Synonyms of shift

shift 1 of 2

verb

ˈshift 

1

as in to move

to change the place or position of

he shifted the vase closer to the wall so that it wouldn't get knocked over

Synonyms & Similar Words

• move
• relocate
• transfer
• remove
• transport
• disturb
• budge
• displace
• replace
• carry
• convey
• haul
• reposition
• transpose
• drive
• dislocate
• transmit
• alter
• modify
• supersede
• supplant
• vary
• revise
• lug
• bear
• cart
• tote
• transplant
• remake
• remodel
• rework
• revamp
• redo
• refashion
• make over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• set
• stabilize
• secure
• fix
• freeze
• anchor
• moor
• root
• embed
• entrench
• lodge
• implant
• ingrain

2

as in to twitch

to change one's position

she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview

Synonyms & Similar Words

• move
• twitch
• stir
• squirm
• fidget
• budge
• wiggle
• locomote
• toss
• fiddle
• jiggle
• wriggle
• writhe
• rouse
• squiggle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freeze
• remain
• stay
• stabilize
• hang around
• still
• stick around
• tarry

3

as in to change

to pass from one form, state, or level to another

she watched the aurora in fascination as its colors shifted from green to blue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• change
• vary
• fluctuate
• mutate
• snap
• improve
• morph
• transmute
• better
• metamorphose
• deteriorate
• turn around
• worsen
• vacillate
• waver
• seesaw
• teeter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stabilize
• plateau

4

as in to exchange

to give up (something) and take something else in return

my brother and I shifted seats just before takeoff so that he could sit by the window

Synonyms & Similar Words

• change
• exchange
• swap
• trade
• substitute
• switch
• commute
• replace
• supersede
• interchange
• displace
• cede
• yield
• surrender
• reciprocate
• hand over

5

as in to cope

to meet one's day-to-day needs

left the others to shift for themselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cope
• do
• manage
• survive
• get along
• get by
• get on
• fare
• make ends meet
• make shift
• make out
• make do
• afford
• carry on
• fend for oneself
• last
• scrounge
• contrive
• scrape (by or through)
• eke out
• squeeze
• swing
• scrape (out)
• wrest
• wring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collapse
• fail
• fall short
• decline
• slump
• wane
• flounder
• fizzle
• give up
• peter (out)

shift

2 of 2

noun

1

as in means

an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

desperate shifts to stave off financial disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• means
• measure
• move
• step
• action
• effort
• attempt
• resource
• initiative
• operation
• procedure
• doing
• act
• expedient
• process
• activity
• proceeding
• success
• try
• course
• work
• feat
• project
• dealing
• deed
• event
• triumph
• thing
• proposal
• coup
• exploit
• pass
• achievement
• enterprise
• crack
• endeavor
• attainment
• labor
• undertaking
• accomplishment
• go
• business
• while
• trouble
• exertion
• pains
• stab
• trial
• affair
• proposition
• shot
• essay
• whack
• resort
• fling
• counterstep
• countermeasure
• makeshift
• stopgap
• countermove

2

as in shifting

the act or an instance of changing position

made a small shift to the left to make more room on the bench

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shifting
• move
• movement
• motion
• relocation
• stirring
• stir
• flapping
• migration
• twitching
• dislocation
• mobility
• squirm
• locomotion
• motility
• waving
• fiddling
• fidgeting
• squirming
• writhing
• motivity
• wriggling
• flailing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inertia
• immobility
• termination
• pause
• stop
• motionlessness
• finish
• halt
• lapse
• shutdown
• expiration
• cessation
• stillness
• discontinuance
• stoppage
• ending
• inertness
• shutoff
• surcease

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shift different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of shift are expedient, makeshift, resort, resource, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

When could expedient be used to replace shift?

The words expedient and shift can be used in similar contexts, but expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

When is it sensible to use makeshift instead of shift?

The synonyms makeshift and shift are sometimes interchangeable, but makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

How are the words resource and resort related as synonyms of shift?

Both resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources

a last resort

When might stopgap be a better fit than shift?

While the synonyms stopgap and shift are close in meaning, stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shift

Verb

In early April, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved NextDecade’s request to shift to a round-the-clock, seven-day construction schedule with contractor Bechtel—a sign of the urgency driving the project. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 24 May 2026

Even Nyro’s piano playing seems to shift in and out of focus, drawing our attention to the pregnant pause of a note fading in a quiet room. —Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 24 May 2026

Noun

Before long, the focus shifts from solving a problem to winning an argument. —Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 23 May 2026

With all of the shifts in leadership, Isaacman’s note made sure to address concerns that have been voiced about the agency. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026

Phrases Containing shift

• make shift