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
News Desk, Artforum, 22 Feb. 2026
That means shifting the policy emphasis on affordability to dignity.
—Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Michael Phillis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Powell slapped a lead-off single to the left side, away from the shift, but was thrown out at second while trying to steal.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shift
Verb
Initially launching her career as a printmaker, Maurer in the late 1960s shifted her attention to photography and painting as means of exploring the serial aspects of motion, a concept that would fascinate her all her life.
—News Desk, Artforum, 22 Feb. 2026
That means shifting the policy emphasis on affordability to dignity.
—Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
Changes in methodology, including assuming that communities that did not submit data did not have lead pipes, resulted in the significant shift.
—Michael Phillis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Powell slapped a lead-off single to the left side, away from the shift, but was thrown out at second while trying to steal.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shift
Verb
-
Montage founder, Alan Fuerstman, personally moves into every new property for its first month of operations to ensure the brand’s signature five-star service is up to snuff.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The players could feel the former United and Wales winger starting to move up the gears.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Baby Briana’s arms twitched and legs flopped against cold concrete.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Through the scope, a polar bear twitched on the ice, 25 yards in front of me.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The closing of the MRGO and the drop in salinity levels changed all that.—
Melina Walling,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
As soon as our interview ended, the seven idols disappeared to change outfits for an evening rehearsal, and returned minutes later, slurping down steaming cups of ramyeon.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Who wouldn’t exchange a day at middle school for Liu’s glamorous existence?—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
As Kaedi Cecala stood beside her husband, Mikey Cecala, the couple exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends gathered to celebrate their wedding.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That approach cuts the costs of medicines, creates local jobs, and instills reliance to better cope with global shocks.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Gayheart, meanwhile, penned an essay for The Cut that December that offered an inside glimpse at how her family was coping with the diagnosis.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The resort is not screen-free by any means, but given the abundance of activities, the natural beauty of the landscape, and the coziness of the space, very few people seemed to feel the need to be on their phones or tablets—and instead spent time connecting.—
Katie Mathews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Torres has a controversial legacy in Colombia, where conservatives have long derided his decision to seek political change through violent means.—
Manuel Rueda,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Tuck thick layers of dryer lint between and around fragile items to pad them from any shifting of the box’s contents.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Either way, Meloni has mastered political shape-shifting, becoming a bridge between nationalist and mainstream Europe.—
Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The duo met as teenagers at a dance competition and began dating in high school before relocating to Los Angeles together in 2015 to pursue dance careers.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Students who were already on campus were relocated and busses on the way to school were redirected and classes canceled for the day so police could investigate.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shift. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
