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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shift
Diego Marroquin Bitar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
While the menswear mecca has evolved its assortment and helped shift men’s tastes over time, expanding to newer territories, suits remain ubiquitous.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The participants also showed a shift in their circadian rhythms (sleep/wake cycles) when they were placed on the time-restricted eating schedules, but the associated health impacts are not known.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shift
Verb
Capital is wary of jurisdictions where rules can shift retroactively or enforcement appears politicized.
—Diego Marroquin Bitar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
While the menswear mecca has evolved its assortment and helped shift men’s tastes over time, expanding to newer territories, suits remain ubiquitous.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
Sourdif’s pace, energy and defensive play have been top-notch, with the Capitals controlling 54 percent of scoring chances and outscoring teams 27-15 during his five-on-five shifts.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The participants also showed a shift in their circadian rhythms (sleep/wake cycles) when they were placed on the time-restricted eating schedules, but the associated health impacts are not known.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shift
Verb
-
In each case, agents shot at drivers or into moving cars – a practice that has largely been discouraged by law enforcement because of risks to public safety.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
-
After Strome’s goal, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky tweaked two of his forward lines, dropping Igor Chernyshov to the third line with Michael Misa and Adam Gaudette and moving Regenda to the top line with Celebrini and Graf.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, Huff at his best has good bend and some twitch to his game.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Their usefulness remains an open question At the back of a conference hall at the Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas, a humanoid robot twitched through a preprogrammed wave for a crowd of cell phone cameras—a classic scene of high spectacle and unclear utility at CES.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With the protests in Iran growing by the day, the conversations in our chats changed to signs of hope even amid grave concerns about our family's safety.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Gilbert himself pursued the project after his divorce changed his perception of what family life would look like.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The families exchanged Christmas cookies as a parting gift.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Since this is an Outlet item, it can’t be returned or exchanged—but is bound to sell out fast.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While stars and filmmakers this season tried to cope candidly with questioners, their impact was nonetheless inhibited by the rigors of Oscar rules.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
-
While his Altadena home survived, Mark Franco continues to cope with living in a neighborhood forever changed by the Eaton Fire.—
Joy Benedict,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Running out of battery mid-flight means missing entertainment and the chance to use apps that help manage nervousness or track turbulence.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Manufacturers would also have to provide a means for first responders to access the car from outside when electric power is lost.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The reason behind this movement was a complex combination of the shifting need for resources, population pressures and external political factors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
This also keeps the filling in place, preventing any shifting after laundry day.—
Nicole Pyles,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Workers will be able to relocate from the burning universe of bribes to the fiery one of taxes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Hodel eventually relocated to the Philippines, living there for the next four decades.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shift. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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