as in shift
the act or an instance of changing position
the shifting of the toys to the front of the display was a direct result of their sudden popularity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in moving
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in squirming
to change one's position
she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview
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3
as in changing
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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4
as in exchanging
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
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5
as in coping
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 shifting
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 1 June 2026
Among the images are some depicting Merlin the magician shape-shifting into different forms and some of the tales of King Arthur and his knights.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
These included the amount of light emitted by different areas, as well as how fast the material in those areas was moving relative to the Earth, as determined by the red- and blue-shifting of hydrogen emissions.
—ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
The ruling ensures that prosecutors will again have to present their evidence—including digital data, financial‑crime motive testimony, and Murdaugh’s own shifting statements—before a new jury.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026
The conventions of American journalism don’t serve this shifting, multi-sided reality well.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Land borders dispute since 1948 The creation of the state of Israel in 1948, which led to the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians and a subsequent Arab-Israeli war in 1948, led to a further shifting of borders in the region.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
At our newest campus in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for example students will train in a 25,000-square-foot facility equipped with interactive shifting simulation and a new curriculum that focuses on hands-on learning from day one.
—Samantha Greenberg, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
As the breeze moves them, the shifting reflections can further repel insects.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Armed with an adventure kit, participants are summoned to a secret location where they’re tasked with deciphering cryptic codes, uncovering hidden symbols, navigating shifting alliances and outwit enemies and operatives stationed around the campus.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
This year, Davis began the process of shifting some sidewalk repair obligations onto adjacent property owners to address a repaving backlog and citywide budget deficit.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
The startup was founded in Ukraine during a challenging period, adding another layer of complexity to building a technology company in a shifting geopolitical environment.
—Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Steamboat Springs saw single-family inventory rise 40%, shifting toward buyer-friendly conditions.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Microsoft has found that customers dislike shifting between its Copilot tools, and the company also seeks for people to see more value from Copilot, the sources familiar with the plans said.
—Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Pearson’s campaign is unfolding against a rapidly shifting national political landscape ahead of November’s elections.
—Philip Wang, Time, 28 May 2026
The real estate industry continues to evolve rapidly through technology and shifting markets.
—James Nelson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Noun
The shifting is effortless and precise, the steering intuitively responsive, and the grip decidedly reassuring, as is the overall handling, a pleasant surprise for a car that pushes the lightweighting boundaries.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 1 June 2026
Among the images are some depicting Merlin the magician shape-shifting into different forms and some of the tales of King Arthur and his knights.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
These included the amount of light emitted by different areas, as well as how fast the material in those areas was moving relative to the Earth, as determined by the red- and blue-shifting of hydrogen emissions.
—ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
The ruling ensures that prosecutors will again have to present their evidence—including digital data, financial‑crime motive testimony, and Murdaugh’s own shifting statements—before a new jury.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026
The conventions of American journalism don’t serve this shifting, multi-sided reality well.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Land borders dispute since 1948 The creation of the state of Israel in 1948, which led to the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians and a subsequent Arab-Israeli war in 1948, led to a further shifting of borders in the region.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
At our newest campus in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for example students will train in a 25,000-square-foot facility equipped with interactive shifting simulation and a new curriculum that focuses on hands-on learning from day one.
—Samantha Greenberg, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
As the breeze moves them, the shifting reflections can further repel insects.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
This announcement comes as many e-commerce companies are shifting their business models to AI to reduce costs by automating many roles.
—Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Armed with an adventure kit, participants are summoned to a secret location where they’re tasked with deciphering cryptic codes, uncovering hidden symbols, navigating shifting alliances and outwit enemies and operatives stationed around the campus.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
This year, Davis began the process of shifting some sidewalk repair obligations onto adjacent property owners to address a repaving backlog and citywide budget deficit.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
The startup was founded in Ukraine during a challenging period, adding another layer of complexity to building a technology company in a shifting geopolitical environment.
—Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Steamboat Springs saw single-family inventory rise 40%, shifting toward buyer-friendly conditions.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Microsoft has found that customers dislike shifting between its Copilot tools, and the company also seeks for people to see more value from Copilot, the sources familiar with the plans said.
—Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Pearson’s campaign is unfolding against a rapidly shifting national political landscape ahead of November’s elections.
—Philip Wang, Time, 28 May 2026
The real estate industry continues to evolve rapidly through technology and shifting markets.
—James Nelson, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
The facility will run around the clock, with most workers on four 10-hour shifts, with three days off.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Brown said momentum has endured as a strategy because investors tend to continue rewarding companies benefiting from innovation cycles and favorable industry shifts, creating trends that can last longer than many expect.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Nippon Dynawave was cited for moving equipment involved before it could be inspected, but not for the incident itself, the news outlet reported.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Unless your companion could use a hand or is traveling with young kids (in the latter case, if this person also happens to be your spouse or partner, really not cool to leave them with the stroller, diaper bag, squirming kids).—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The player who was hit by the cart immediately grabbed his thigh and knee area while squirming in pain on the ground.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Which teams are surprising, which are underperforming, and which are one do-over away from changing their fate.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
That stat best illustrates how times are changing in the NIL and revenue-share era.—
Jeff Sentell,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
After exchanging blows, the youngster raced on to a Djokovic drop shot before exquisitely returning with a faint backhand of his own, leaving his opponent with his hands on his knees in disbelief.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
The couple ultimately wed in 1975, after exchanging informal, private vows at the top of the Eiffel Tower a few weeks earlier.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Costa said the study gave him valuable information on coping techniques.—
Cindy Hsu,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
Students trained in these skills move from coping to capacity.—
Sharon A. Kuhn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The fly doesn’t travel big distances and moves more frequently on infested livestock.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
That move is set to make CEO Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire.—
Katie Foley,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
People leaving Los Angeles and California are raising the cost of living in some red states after years of relocating from the left-leaning state.—
Lindsay Kornick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
The group kept going, relocating to North Carolina and shedding the Eternal Values name in favor of a construction company called the Lotus Group—a thin veneer of normalcy stretched over the same dynamics.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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