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shift

noun

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Synonyms & Antonyms of shift

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

desperate shifts to stave off financial disaster

Synonyms for shift

Words Related to shift

2 the act or an instance of changing position

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

Synonyms for shift

Words Related to shift

Near Antonyms for shift

immobility

Antonyms for shift

motionlessness

shift

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of shift (Entry 2 of 2)

1 to change the place or position of

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

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2 to change one's position

she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview

Synonyms for shift

Words Related to shift

rouse

Near Antonyms for shift

stabilize

Antonyms for shift

freeze,
still

3 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 for shift

Words Related to shift

turn around

Antonyms for shift

4 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 for shift

Words Related to shift

interchange

reciprocate

5 to meet one's day-to-day needs

left the others to shift for themselves

Synonyms for shift

Words Related to shift

last,
survive

afford,
swing

Phrases Synonymous with shift

Near Antonyms for shift

give up

Choose the Right Synonym for shift

Noun

resource, resort, expedient, shift, makeshift, stopgap mean something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply. resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon. exhausted all of their resources a last resort expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible. a flimsy expedient shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient. desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference. old equipment employed as a makeshift stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure. a new law intended only as a stopgap