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
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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
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
Consumer advocates and some regulatory analysts have raised concerns that the separate rate proposal is not strong enough to fully protect non-data center customers from cost shifting related to new energy projects.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The shifting perspective is the magic of the show.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The shifting explanations, the defense argues, suggest the decision may have been arbitrary.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Is shape-shifting is in her DNA?
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Growing challenges to diverse slates Amid shifting political winds, the proliferation of diverse slate policies quickly generated backlash.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 15 May 2026
Later, Harry Braverman argued that modern systems separate thinking from execution, shifting control away from workers.
—Victor Fang, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
But that narrative is shifting.
—Footwear News, 15 May 2026
That consistency shapes how people weigh the cost of returning to school or shifting into something new.
—Felysha Walker
may 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
Extra servos in the shoulders let the arms swing widely, while the leg joints allow crouching and shifting positions.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
Many physicists suspect the weird shape-shifting behavior of neutrinos might have played a key role in this cosmic conundrum.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
That rules out Virginia shifting its map to better favor Democrats in the upcoming midterms, Green said, but doesn’t bar them from starting the process over, adhering more closely to the rules, and changing the lines for future races.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Noun
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
Consumer advocates and some regulatory analysts have raised concerns that the separate rate proposal is not strong enough to fully protect non-data center customers from cost shifting related to new energy projects.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The shifting perspective is the magic of the show.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The shifting explanations, the defense argues, suggest the decision may have been arbitrary.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Is shape-shifting is in her DNA?
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
The debate comes after weeks of tense exchanges and shifting poll numbers.
—James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Growing challenges to diverse slates Amid shifting political winds, the proliferation of diverse slate policies quickly generated backlash.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 15 May 2026
Later, Harry Braverman argued that modern systems separate thinking from execution, shifting control away from workers.
—Victor Fang, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
But that narrative is shifting.
—Footwear News, 15 May 2026
That consistency shapes how people weigh the cost of returning to school or shifting into something new.
—Felysha Walker
may 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
Extra servos in the shoulders let the arms swing widely, while the leg joints allow crouching and shifting positions.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
Many physicists suspect the weird shape-shifting behavior of neutrinos might have played a key role in this cosmic conundrum.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 May 2026
That rules out Virginia shifting its map to better favor Democrats in the upcoming midterms, Green said, but doesn’t bar them from starting the process over, adhering more closely to the rules, and changing the lines for future races.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
The pair was also on the ice for Dahlin’s goal on the game’s opening shift.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
This shift will only happen if the public demands it.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
In other words, this is basically a demonic-possession story, albeit one without any actual demons; at one point, Nikki briefly starts moving backward for no reason.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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Meanwhile Varda is planning for more partnerships and a faster launch cadence, eventually moving from a launch per quarter to every other month.—
Ramin Skibba,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The veterans, of course, are terrific with one later episode set on a plane that finds Mulligan in top squirming form.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Like him, Rue is squirming under Laurie’s thumb, anxious to get out.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On most bikes, changing classes requires a trip to a phone application or diving through menus that require you to pull over.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
-
Artificial intelligence seeping into classrooms and industries, junior roles becoming more competitive and the rising cost of a diploma are changing the equation.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Inspired by their connection, Étienne contemplates exchanging his lonely existence for one filled with romance, but with a demanding route to cover, starring in a great love story may not be in the cards for the hard-working road warrior.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
12 May 2026
-
The Andes virus is a rare variant that can be passed from person to person through significant and intimate close contact such as sharing a bed for an extended period of time or exchanging saliva.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Those struggles can manifest in a range of ways, McClanahan said, from finding new coping mechanisms to replace food to ongoing body image concerns, even after weight loss.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
14 May 2026
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The case captivated true-crime enthusiasts when Richins was arrested in 2023 while promoting her children’s book about a boy coping with the death of his father.—
Hannah Schoenbaum,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Private equity companies would be banned from investing in youth sports teams, leagues, facilities and events under a new federal bill, a move lawmakers say would lower participation costs for families and restore control of a public good to local communities.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
Choose the move that makes the whole vision feel more possible.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors would later allege Ruben helped his son hide Smart’s body under the family’s deck before relocating her remains.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
10 May 2026
-
Bad Robot is relocating, a subtle but telling shift in gravity.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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