shift 1 of 2

1
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

shift

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noun

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

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
Verb
DeHaven believes that the key lies in shifting away from reactionary financial relief and toward trade liberalization. Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025 Once their flowers are pollinated, plants stop blooming and shift their energy into producing seed. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
Noun
Indeed, many drinks makers have sought to embrace that shift with new ranges of low and no alcohol products. Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 7 June 2025 These slight shifts are only detectable thanks to the telescope’s Visible Broadband Imager (VBI), which operates in the G-band — a specific range of visible light that highlights areas with strong magnetic activity. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for shift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shift
Verb
  • Last month, the department moved ahead with negotiated rulemaking, a lengthy process that would result in changes to federal regulations.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The couple had been planning to move back to Montreal before the October 2024 incident.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • An input lag of 4.6 milliseconds in the TV's dedicated Game mode is speedy enough for twitch reflexes, and the panel refreshes at 120Hz and supports variable refresh rates.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
  • The sight of his twitching arm, middle finger raised, is a fun touch to an otherwise-underwhelming send-off.
    Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The summary will also be updated as new information is added, meaning new replies to the chain may change the summary at the top.
    James Peckham, PC Magazine, 30 May 2025
  • Even after taking over as captain ahead of the 2018-19 season, Barkov didn’t change his approach.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • During their last meeting in May, both countries agreed to exchange their requirements for a ceasefire.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
  • The May 16 talks also led to a swap of prisoners, with 1,000 on both sides being exchanged.
    Mehmet Guzel, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Going on plenty of walks and sticking to the dog's normal routine can all assist in helping your dog cope with a loss.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • Young men might be more likely to suppress emotional expression, engage in risk-taking behavior, or use substances to cope with grief.
    Charell G. Coleman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The police department will relocate to a facility in a 950-space parking garage being built on the east side of campus.
    Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2025
  • The New York Racing Association temporarily relocated it there while Belmont Park on Long Island undergoes nearly half-a-billion dollars in renovations.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Since returning to the White House for his second term, the president has vowed to replicate the impact of his original travel bans, which stirred several legal battles with courts that blocked the mandate.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 6 June 2025
  • By stirring nationalist fervor and outsourcing conflict to criminal networks, Maduro avoids direct military confrontation — while escalating pressure on Guyana.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Each of the game's more than 1,000 planets operates according to genuine physical laws; your character experiences different gravitational pulls depending on the celestial body, light cycles vary based on planetary rotation and atmospheric conditions affect visibility and movement.
    Cody Greco, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • The findings reached by other organizations on how much prison and jail actually costs people also vary widely.
    Meg Anderson, NPR, 3 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shift. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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