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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
desperate shifts to stave off financial disaster
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shift
Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Just as technology and shifting expectations have disrupted other sectors of work, recruitment is beginning to evolve into something more flexible, more empowering, and more aligned with the value its professionals actually create.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Now, as the puck drops and the 2025-26 season begins, the focus shifts to what’s next — specifically the chance to be the first team since the New York Islanders from 1980-1983 to win at least three consecutive titles.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shift
Verb
Now let’s shift to another table.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Just as technology and shifting expectations have disrupted other sectors of work, recruitment is beginning to evolve into something more flexible, more empowering, and more aligned with the value its professionals actually create.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
However, a shift is occurring, with younger stars and their fans more willing to embrace progressive ideals and publicly criticize the right.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Now, as the puck drops and the 2025-26 season begins, the focus shifts to what’s next — specifically the chance to be the first team since the New York Islanders from 1980-1983 to win at least three consecutive titles.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shift
Verb
-
In a positive sign, Nunoo was moving his hands and fingers, according to Sutton.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
-
That includes other immigrants who continue to buy homes to move into or to invest in, even some without legal immigration status.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her hand twitched from the heat.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But a left knee injury in March 2024 changed his football trajectory.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The shutdown could change all that.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Since the African Growth and Opportunity Act was implemented in 2000, sub-Saharan African nations have exchanged goods duty-free with the US, boosting trans-Atlantic trade.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
That calmness, however, was soon overtaken by the kitchen, with the hiss of the pans, stir of the pots and sharp calls exchanged between cooks quickly filling the air, along with the sounds of an upbeat Peruvian song playing in the background.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Combs' case was particularly challenging, wading into the murky intersections of consent and coercion, celebrity, complex workplace dynamics and the myriad ways that people cope with trauma.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Luis Enrique has built PSG to last, with players who interchange easily and a squad deep enough to cope with a stack of absentees which itself read like a Ballon d’Or nominations list.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That position of strength means, in the local media, the messaging can often be shaped to the club’s advantage.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Flax is known to promote good digestive health and prevent constipation, thanks to plenty of insoluble fiber and soluble fiber (both of which facilitate digestion and regular bowel movements through slightly different means).—
Christina Chaey,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Look no further than Larroudé (every It-girl’s footwear retailer of choice nowadays) and its wide selection of shoe styles that are perfectly timed to the shifting of the seasons and your urgent need to make the style statement of the century.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
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Since starting Fulham’s season opener against Brighton & Hove Albion after a strong pre-season, King has become a key contributor to the side’s shape-shifting on the pitch with his relentless work-rate and clever movement out of possession, and tidiness with the ball.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Plans to relocate much of Gaza’s population to other countries would be shelved.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
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Children's relocated its emergency department in 2023 to a new space built at the front of its hospital.—
Sarah Volpenhein,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shift. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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