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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to twitch
to change one's position
she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
5
as in to cope
to meet one's day-to-day needs
left the others to shift for themselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
desperate shifts to stave off financial disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shift
Jordan Greene, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
As the Dolphins begin to shift focus to Week 2, the importance of levelheadedness cannot be understated.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 2 Sep. 2025
And Xi has already seen benefits from the American shift.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shift
Verb
Lerner later earned a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from Columbia University before shifting into publishing.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
As the Dolphins begin to shift focus to Week 2, the importance of levelheadedness cannot be understated.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
The firm said recent operational shifts have led to variations in our metrics, particularly for waste intensity.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 2 Sep. 2025
And Xi has already seen benefits from the American shift.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shift
Verb
-
Officers said — and video showed — the rancher moved his hands into his jacket after exiting his truck immediately following the crash.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The website’s mobile observatory — which moves about in search of clear skies — will this year be in Cyprus, where the partial eclipse phases occur 30 minutes after moonrise, with totality an hour after that.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Jones’ raw traits have always been jaw-dropping — a 6-foot-6 defensive end who can combine an edge rusher’s twitch with an interior lineman’s power.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Koberidze opens with a montage of cats, foot traffic, street dogs twitching in their sleep, statues and trees casting long shadows across buildings.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Absent a miracle that changes Grassley’s position on maintaining the blue slip tradition, Shipley said, the administration may have to return to the more conventional path of compromise.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The report cautions that spending plans could shift if tariff concerns or economic conditions change.—
Joan Verdon,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
All four umpires form a circle and leave room for one representative from each team to exchange lineup cards.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) exchanges documents with Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) prior to the meeting with President of Russia, May 7, 2025 in Moscow, Russia.—
Robert Birsel
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After all, what better way is there to cope with life's stressors than a silly little accessory swinging from your bag?—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
After her first two pregnancies, Jen Affleck used dancing to cope with her postpartum symptoms.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With complete antiballistic missile means, China can significantly contain the enemy's strategic strike capabilities, which is of great significance.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
His or her voice is the means by which the author’s work is bodied forth, and is the main channel along which thought and feeling are to flow.—
Adam Verner
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But the combination of a winter break, some additional scheduling imbalances to help the league’s coldest markets, and perhaps even the shifting of Leagues Cup on the annual schedule should make those challenges solvable.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
The self is a shifting, inconstant phenomenon, brain and body ever transforming in time and space, with no clear delineation between what is self and what is other.—
Lauren Groff,
The Atlantic,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Palestinians in Gaza would receive $5,000 and an aid package to relocate.—
Michele Chabin,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Growing Up With Aunt Edna To Williams-Mbengue, Edna Lewis was simply Aunt Edna, the beloved caretaker who relocated to the Bronx (where Williams-Mbengue grew up) when her mother fell ill with tuberculosis and sought treatment in Philadelphia.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shift. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share