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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in coping
to meet one's day-to-day needs
left the others to shift for themselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shifting
Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
This also keeps the filling in place, preventing any shifting after laundry day.
—Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026
The sofa should support the room’s natural focal point and allow guests to sit comfortably without twisting or shifting.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 14 Jan. 2026
Windows remain a talking point — particularly amid a potential acquisition of a legacy studio by a streamer — as does volume and the shifting of moviegoing habits.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
While wireless derailleurs may offer fast and precise electronic shifting, the things ain't cheap.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
The shifting of boundaries that has come with the mid-decade redistricting process in several states this year has scrambled members’ priorities.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 26 Dec. 2025
All of this shifting also means that leading companies will have more fluid, modular workforces, with systems in place that can match emerging work needs with available capabilities.
—Kevin Oakes, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Vena was less certain about the shifting of trackage rights, which allow for trains from one railroad to use the tracks of another.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Dec. 2025
Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In Huntington Beach, the coastal community has long had a reputation as a Southern California stronghold for Republicans, though its politics have recently been shifting.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Beyond the slate, the Rendez-Vous opens against a backdrop of shifting export dynamics for French cinema.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
Whether that capability can translate into paradigm-shifting innovation remains an open question, one that will likely define China’s position in the global AI race over the next decade.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
What ultimately helped reshape her confidence wasn’t changing her appearance, but shifting her perspective.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
City officials confirmed Monday that something had previously struck the bottom of the streetlight, shifting the wires and causing a pinch in the wiring that energized the pole.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
That’s partly because the sands are slowly shifting in Washington.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2026
Balance these with dependable evergreen trees for an ever-shifting palette of color in the landscape.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
The reason behind this movement was a complex combination of the shifting need for resources, population pressures and external political factors.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
This also keeps the filling in place, preventing any shifting after laundry day.
—Nicole Pyles, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026
The sofa should support the room’s natural focal point and allow guests to sit comfortably without twisting or shifting.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 14 Jan. 2026
Windows remain a talking point — particularly amid a potential acquisition of a legacy studio by a streamer — as does volume and the shifting of moviegoing habits.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
While wireless derailleurs may offer fast and precise electronic shifting, the things ain't cheap.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
The shifting of boundaries that has come with the mid-decade redistricting process in several states this year has scrambled members’ priorities.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 26 Dec. 2025
All of this shifting also means that leading companies will have more fluid, modular workforces, with systems in place that can match emerging work needs with available capabilities.
—Kevin Oakes, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Vena was less certain about the shifting of trackage rights, which allow for trains from one railroad to use the tracks of another.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Dec. 2025
Verb
Last week, Graham Knaus, the chief executive of the California State Association of Counties, criticized Newsom’s budget for not responding to the cost burdens shifting to local governments.
—Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In Huntington Beach, the coastal community has long had a reputation as a Southern California stronghold for Republicans, though its politics have recently been shifting.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Beyond the slate, the Rendez-Vous opens against a backdrop of shifting export dynamics for French cinema.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
Whether that capability can translate into paradigm-shifting innovation remains an open question, one that will likely define China’s position in the global AI race over the next decade.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
What ultimately helped reshape her confidence wasn’t changing her appearance, but shifting her perspective.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
City officials confirmed Monday that something had previously struck the bottom of the streetlight, shifting the wires and causing a pinch in the wiring that energized the pole.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
That’s partly because the sands are slowly shifting in Washington.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2026
Balance these with dependable evergreen trees for an ever-shifting palette of color in the landscape.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
Officers in certain other units, such as foot patrol and community resource officers, had been transferred to nightly patrol shifts.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The company also highlighted its shift toward a Robot-as-a-Service model, indicating readiness for global commercial deployment rather than experimental use.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Democrats have a rare opportunity to fill the void of economic rationality left by the traditionally pro-business GOP by moving toward the political center and working with the business community.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The city of Fort Worth is moving forward with zoning changes to limit the concentration of businesses like liquor stores, smoke shops and payday lenders in one area.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
An annual tradition in the legal circle, as well as his UCLA symposium sit-downs, the hourlong speech from the predominantly softspoken Ziffren clearly had a few attendees squirming in their seats near the end.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Hungry birds looking for dozens of squirming caterpillars a day to feed their young can easily find the insects on oak trees.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Strategically using dimmers, light-filtering and -blocking window coverings, and temperature-changing light sources also offer sensory support.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Events like moving to a new neighborhood, buying a new car, changing jobs or even adjusting one’s daily commute can be enough to warrant a review of one’s risks and coverage.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The organization and its arbitration-eligible players had faced a Thursday deadline for exchanging salary figures.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Video made public Friday shows the 37-year-old and her wife exchanging words with ICE officers in the seconds before the shooting.—
Annie Gowen,
Washington Post,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Worrying about finding a bathroom, coping with abdominal pain, and apprehension about symptoms starting or coming back all cause stress.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The theme is an evolution of Glimmers, a macro trend from WGSN’s Future Consumer 2026 forecast that examines the coping tool for consumers as the world faces multiple crises.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
True showcased some dance moves during a spa day at home, chronicled by Khloe.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Kelly this week sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in an attempt to block his demotion, arguing the move is unconstitutional.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To increase humidity, consider using a plant humidifier or relocating the plant to areas of the home with higher moisture, such as the bathroom.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Another important detail to note about Carmel for anyone considering relocating there is the cost of housing.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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