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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shifting
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
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
Tech companies appear to be particularly aggressive with profit shifting.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Her use of Auto-Tune and pitch-shifting won’t surprise anyone who’s heard either her solo records or her many collaborations with fellow Texas ambient composer claire rousay, but the context in which her voice is used might come as a shock.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
The education ministry will issue guidelines for schools starting Sunday, with options such as adjusting timetables and shifting to online classes being considered.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The White House says the president wants to pair the defense increase with a 10% reduction in nondefense spending, partly through shifting some federal programs and responsibilities to state and local governments.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Instead, the White House offered frequently shifting rationales for its war and little outreach to the Iranian resistance.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
But new details shared by a lead investigator are shifting the narrative behind her disappearance.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Americans’ views of the relationship with Mexico have changed in light of these shifting trade dynamics.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2026
The marker could be an outlier rather than a sign of a shifting pattern.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Simply put, ordinary water is constantly shifting on a microscopic level.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
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
Tech companies appear to be particularly aggressive with profit shifting.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Her use of Auto-Tune and pitch-shifting won’t surprise anyone who’s heard either her solo records or her many collaborations with fellow Texas ambient composer claire rousay, but the context in which her voice is used might come as a shock.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
According to Nicole Wegman of Ring Concierge, trends are shifting toward bold bands, distinctive settings, dual-band designs, and colorful gemstones that add personality and a modern twist.
—Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
The education ministry will issue guidelines for schools starting Sunday, with options such as adjusting timetables and shifting to online classes being considered.
—Max Burman, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The White House says the president wants to pair the defense increase with a 10% reduction in nondefense spending, partly through shifting some federal programs and responsibilities to state and local governments.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Instead, the White House offered frequently shifting rationales for its war and little outreach to the Iranian resistance.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
But new details shared by a lead investigator are shifting the narrative behind her disappearance.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Americans’ views of the relationship with Mexico have changed in light of these shifting trade dynamics.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2026
The marker could be an outlier rather than a sign of a shifting pattern.
—William Jones, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Simply put, ordinary water is constantly shifting on a microscopic level.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
Under Armas, the team shifts between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-2-4.—
PJ Green
April 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Consider reshuffling your to-do list, because a small shift could save money and protect your energy.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The average retirement age declined steadily in America for decades until around 1990, when the average started moving up again.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There will be no squirming tonight.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In the new iteration that would be Jack and his girlfriend Martha (Elle Fanning), whose introduction to the Taylors is one of many scenes played out with squirming discomfort.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One of the most important concepts in cosmology is redshift, which doesn’t just come from changing your gravitational field or the relative motion of the source and observer, but from the expanding Universe as well.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That would involve changing some state laws, persuading housing lenders to be more accommodating and overcoming resistance from construction unions.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike conventional approaches, this method is designed to handle open quantum environments, where particles are always exchanging energy and information with what’s around them.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Yes, George, frankly, this conflict only seems to be escalating with all sides exchanging intense fire on a daily basis.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For one participant, a spike in social media app use was associated with feeling less connected to others and having more difficulty coping with emotions.—
Crista Marchesseault,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Another study published in 2022 in the OMEGA Journal of Death and Dying found that humor is both a common grief trigger and a common coping mechanism for managing grief.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The move is expected to bring cheaper fares, more travel options, and fewer long drives for North Bay passengers.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
March 21 – April 19 Quiet moves can fuel surprisingly strong momentum.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
LoRe, a Sicilian immigrant, had spent most of his life working as a butcher in New York City and running a shop there before relocating to the Charlotte area.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Fathoms is the latest in a string of synth albums the composer has made under his own name since 2022, and his first since relocating from Portland to the storied town of Salzburg, Austria.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
