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
Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Many of the options are changing to accommodate shifting preferences.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 12 June 2026
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, 5 June 2026
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
Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Congress holds power of the purse The shifting funds are certain to ignite growing concerns in Congress over the separation of powers, and the president’s use of federal funds allocated by lawmakers.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The shifting enforcement tactics have complicated decisions for immigrants seeking to comply with legal proceedings, while attorneys warn that courthouse arrests can undermine due process protections.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
There has also been speculation that FIFA has been shifting unsold tickets to secondary marketplaces, according to S&P Global’s Johnson.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
Across industries, executives said loyalty is shifting away from transactions and toward experience, meaning, and ongoing relationships.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 June 2026
In 2024, Florida Governor Ron Desantis initially made his presidential campaign about fighting ESG, before shifting focus.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
No single number has captured the cost-shifting better than the price of the train.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 June 2026
The changes look to improve safety by shifting more to a proof of payment system with additional changes for stricter fare enforcement.
—Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
Noun
Save emails and messages that show shifting expectations, unwarranted criticism or attempts to take credit for your work.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Many of the options are changing to accommodate shifting preferences.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 12 June 2026
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, 5 June 2026
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
Verb
Pressing for clearer answers For months, frustration among stakeholders has centered on numbers that keep shifting as the district revises its budget projections.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Congress holds power of the purse The shifting funds are certain to ignite growing concerns in Congress over the separation of powers, and the president’s use of federal funds allocated by lawmakers.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
The shifting enforcement tactics have complicated decisions for immigrants seeking to comply with legal proceedings, while attorneys warn that courthouse arrests can undermine due process protections.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
There has also been speculation that FIFA has been shifting unsold tickets to secondary marketplaces, according to S&P Global’s Johnson.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
Across industries, executives said loyalty is shifting away from transactions and toward experience, meaning, and ongoing relationships.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 June 2026
In 2024, Florida Governor Ron Desantis initially made his presidential campaign about fighting ESG, before shifting focus.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
No single number has captured the cost-shifting better than the price of the train.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 June 2026
The changes look to improve safety by shifting more to a proof of payment system with additional changes for stricter fare enforcement.
—Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
But in the long term, several shifts Warsh announced mean the central bank could look and operate differently by the end of the year.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
-
The crypto playbook The political activity of these AI companies and executives reflects a dramatic shift from how emerging technology companies have historically engaged with politics.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Officers can use voice commands, and if those don’t work options include pepper spray, a baton, a TASER or fire extinguisher, though some are more difficult to use on a fast-moving animal, the directive says.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 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
-
Though both teams are coming off wins, each tweaked its starting 11 from those openers, with Mexico changing three starters.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
-
That means retaining the iconic characters and narrative structure, but halving episode length to 11 minutes and changing graphic design, says Peekaboo producer Iván Agenjo.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The adversaries made for a striking scene, exchanging insults in mutually unintelligible languages in the dead of night.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
-
Treatment, not trauma On a tour of the facility given to a Tribune reporter and photographer, the building appeared to be old but clean, with staff and residents exchanging greetings in the hallways, and residents gathering to watch television in the day room.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The Northwestern Mutual survey comes at a moment when Americans are coping with years of cumulative inflation.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 June 2026
-
His coping mechanism was to convert that fear into fuel.—
Joshua Encinias,
IndieWire,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The move also comes on the same day Angel City parted ways with head coach Alexander Strauss and traded rising star Kennedy Fuller to Bay FC.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
-
The commission endorsed the idea of adding 10 council members, a move that would reduce the size of each council district to roughly 159,000 residents from 265,000.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Ensuring your porch is unwelcoming by relocating bird baths or feeders and trimming nearby trees can prevent birds from making nests.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
Today, Gregory is living in Nashville after relocating there from Miami to help open a new restaurant location — turning a temporary assignment into a permanent move and a fresh, new chapter.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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