1
as in relocated
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in moved
to change one's position
she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in changed
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 exchanged
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 coped
to meet one's day-to-day needs
left the others to shift for themselves
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shifted
The temperature had warmed up since Phillips’ remarkable opening shot, so the young golfer shifted from a 6-iron to a 7-iron.
—
Alex Valdes, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
After significant pushes in 2022 and 2023, including winning Money in the Bank and the United States Championship (via the first-ever cash-in for that title), his momentum shifted.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Kenneth Regan, a chess international master and computer science professor at the University at Buffalo, said the opportunity to cheat has exploded as the cerebral sport has shifted online.
—Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The promise of the metaverse evaporated as soon as ChatGPT came on the scene in late 2022 and the tech industry shifted its focus to artificial intelligence.
—Steve Kovach, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
That expressiveness became a distinct characteristic of Copeland’s, but as the ballet world has shifted to prize the more extreme technical qualities of the dance form, such human personal expression has become a lost art.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
When the new millennium arrived, that equation shifted yet again, even if the focus on money hadn’t.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
There will be more, but something essential has shifted.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
The next night, however, Obama’s final-night speech was hastily shifted from the massive Bank of America Stadium to the comparably cozy arena, potentially shutting out as many as 50,000 supporters — due to a storm that never materialized.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Alex Valdes, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
After significant pushes in 2022 and 2023, including winning Money in the Bank and the United States Championship (via the first-ever cash-in for that title), his momentum shifted.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Kenneth Regan, a chess international master and computer science professor at the University at Buffalo, said the opportunity to cheat has exploded as the cerebral sport has shifted online.
—Corey Williams, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The promise of the metaverse evaporated as soon as ChatGPT came on the scene in late 2022 and the tech industry shifted its focus to artificial intelligence.
—Steve Kovach, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
That expressiveness became a distinct characteristic of Copeland’s, but as the ballet world has shifted to prize the more extreme technical qualities of the dance form, such human personal expression has become a lost art.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
When the new millennium arrived, that equation shifted yet again, even if the focus on money hadn’t.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
There will be more, but something essential has shifted.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
The next night, however, Obama’s final-night speech was hastily shifted from the massive Bank of America Stadium to the comparably cozy arena, potentially shutting out as many as 50,000 supporters — due to a storm that never materialized.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifted
Verb
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If Doan’s Coyotes records were treated the same way Hawerchuk’s Jets records were, moving from one city to the next as a franchise relocated, then Utah Mammoth star Clayton Keller would be chasing him.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The town was established after San Francisco banned new burials and exhumed and relocated bodies to Colma in the early 1900s.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While lawmakers hope to build a new prison, Evers' plan calls for changes to other facilities to house those incarcerated who would have to be moved if Green Bay closes.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The discovery of the solar cycle now moved Carrington to undertake a rigorous study of sunspots that soon earned him a reputation as Britain’s premier solar observer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In 1984, the name was changed to the Amelia Brown Frazier Rehabilitation Center in her honor.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Othmann was outlasted by fellow winger prospects Brett Berard and Gabe Perreault, but apparently something changed between then and now.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Between courses and conversation, connections were formed, ideas exchanged, and hearts opened.—
Essence,
Essence,
20 Oct. 2025
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The bride and groom recited their vows and exchanged candy rings, and then there was lots of dancing and celebrating.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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William offered some surprisingly candid answers about everything from his parents' divorce to how his children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — coped with Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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As a teen growing up in an abusive household, Morgan coped daily with physical and emotional harm from her mother.—
Laura Schwab Reese,
The Conversation,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The original trees had to be removed in 2013 after being poisoned by Alabama fan Harvey Updyke.—
Jordy Fee-Platt,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Investigators have removed a haul of items from the camps for forensic examination as part of ongoing enquiries to identify anyone who might have assisted Phillips during his time on the run.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her hand twitched from the heat.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
My hand twitched toward the phone, muscle memory stronger than willpower.—
Maggie Downs,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But in the Italian tradition, Bearzot was a flexible tactician who varied his approach from game to game, attempting to nullify the opponent’s strengths.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
First, the public’s opinion has varied.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shifted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifted. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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