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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, the Saudis have signaled that their investment process is shifting.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
The 2026 request shows the command is shifting its priorities for future conflicts.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
The data also underscores the shifting environment for crypto exchanges and importance of crypto derivatives – which include perpetual futures and, increasingly, prediction markets.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Efforts to track groups whose hate might turn violent are further complicated by the nebulous, ever-shifting nature of extremism on social media.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
By shifting the cost to visitors, the city hopes to avoid another fee hike on locals who have already approved several recent measures.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
The layoffs follow Los Angeles County’s decision to withdraw funding from LAHSA and launch its own homelessness department, alongside recent moves by city leaders to consider shifting programs away from the agency or restructuring its governance.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
As Columbia, Rodriguez takes big, bold swings, shifting from manic exuberance to bruised vulnerability to feral anger over the course of the night.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 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
By late evening, Mercury enters Taurus, shifting focus to practical thinking and steady decisions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, the Saudis have signaled that their investment process is shifting.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
The 2026 request shows the command is shifting its priorities for future conflicts.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
The data also underscores the shifting environment for crypto exchanges and importance of crypto derivatives – which include perpetual futures and, increasingly, prediction markets.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Efforts to track groups whose hate might turn violent are further complicated by the nebulous, ever-shifting nature of extremism on social media.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
By shifting the cost to visitors, the city hopes to avoid another fee hike on locals who have already approved several recent measures.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
The layoffs follow Los Angeles County’s decision to withdraw funding from LAHSA and launch its own homelessness department, alongside recent moves by city leaders to consider shifting programs away from the agency or restructuring its governance.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
As Columbia, Rodriguez takes big, bold swings, shifting from manic exuberance to bruised vulnerability to feral anger over the course of the night.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
Aquarius January 20 – February 18 Plans with others shift, but something better can take shape from it today.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
-
Uranus in your 4th House of Home can create a sudden shift in your personal environment or attention.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
He was instructed to respond by moving his eyes from left to right, and sure enough, the researchers counted two rightward movements of his eyes.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
The sophisticated set by ace production designer David Gropman enables Altman’s perpetually moving and zooming camera to drift in and out of two-way mirrors that depict memories and fantasies with both immediacy and a gauzy nostalgia.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Setting a boundary or changing your space shifts the energy.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
That means the 34-story hotel and adjacent casino have risen to their full height along the Chicago River, changing the city’s architectural and economic landscape.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Netanyahu is charged with breach of trust, fraud and accepting bribes in three separate cases accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy associates.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In a similar manner, Liquid aspires to be more than a hub for exchanging crypto.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Other families coping with loved ones’ injuries are expected to file lawsuits in the next three weeks.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This may be due, in part, to the development of coping mechanisms as children move into adolescence.—
Greg Mellen,
Oc Register,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to negotiating major deals — including Jackson's purchase of Neverland Ranch — Branca also helped orchestrate landmark moves like the acquisition of the ATV Music catalog, which included publishing rights to songs by The Beatles.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The moves come after a series of rate increases that tacked on an average $43 a month to customer power bills, drawing the ire of consumers.—
Kristi Swartz,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While relocating to Florida has its benefits—great weather, a large retirement community, and tax benefits—Investopedia notes that the state experiences hurricanes, and real estate insurance and air conditioning costs tend to be higher.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The developer, Village, and CTA are exploring options for temporarily relocating the CTA’s operations within the mall area, while Pace service will be rerouted as needed.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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