Synonyms of shifts

shifts 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shift

1

as in moves

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

• moves
• relocates
• transfers
• removes
• transports
• disturbs
• transposes
• displaces
• conveys
• repositions
• replaces
• carries
• hauls
• dislocates
• drives
• budges
• transmits
• alters
• transplants
• varies
• modifies
• carts
• supersedes
• lugs
• supplants
• revises
• reworks
• bears
• totes
• remakes
• makes over
• remodels
• revamps
• refashions
• redoes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sets
• stabilizes
• freezes
• fixes
• secures
• anchors
• roots
• embeds
• moors
• lodges
• implants
• entrenches
• ingrains

2

as in twitches

to change one's position

she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview

Synonyms & Similar Words

• moves
• twitches
• squirms
• stirs
• fidgets
• locomotes
• wiggles
• budges
• tosses
• writhes
• jiggles
• fiddles
• wriggles
• rouses
• squiggles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freezes
• remains
• stays
• stills
• hangs around
• stabilizes
• sticks around
• tarries

3

as in changes

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

• changes
• varies
• fluctuates
• morphs
• mutates
• snaps
• improves
• transmutes
• deteriorates
• metamorphoses
• turns around
• worsens
• vacillates
• wavers
• betters
• seesaws
• teeters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stabilizes
• plateaus

4

as in swaps

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

• swaps
• exchanges
• changes
• trades
• substitutes
• switches
• replaces
• commutes
• supersedes
• interchanges
• displaces
• yields
• cedes
• surrenders
• reciprocates
• hands over

5

as in copes

to meet one's day-to-day needs

left the others to shift for themselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

• copes
• does
• manages
• survives
• fares
• makes shift
• gets along
• gets by
• gets on
• makes ends meet
• makes out
• affords
• makes do
• scrounges
• fends for oneself
• carries on
• contrives
• scrapes (by or through)
• lasts
• squeezes
• scrapes (out)
• ekes out
• swings
• wrests
• wrings

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collapses
• fails
• falls short
• declines
• wanes
• slumps
• flounders
• fizzles
• gives up
• peters (out)

shifts

2 of 2

noun

plural of shift

1

as in means

an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

desperate shifts to stave off financial disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• means
• measures
• moves
• steps
• efforts
• resources
• things
• attempts
• actions
• activities
• procedures
• acts
• processes
• initiatives
• expedients
• dealings
• works
• goes
• tries
• operations
• feats
• projects
• doings
• proceedings
• proposals
• events
• deeds
• coups
• successes
• passes
• accomplishments
• cracks
• enterprises
• triumphs
• exploits
• pains
• endeavors
• courses
• exertions
• achievements
• affairs
• attainments
• troubles
• undertakings
• propositions
• essays
• businesses
• stabs
• trials
• countermeasures
• labors
• resorts
• flings
• whacks
• shots
• whiles
• countermoves
• countersteps
• makeshifts
• stopgaps

2

as in movements

the act or an instance of changing position

made a small shift to the left to make more room on the bench

Synonyms & Similar Words

• moves
• movements
• motions
• stirrings
• stirs
• migrations
• relocations
• dislocations
• squirms
• mobilities
• locomotions
• motilities
• motivities
• fiddlings

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inertias
• stops
• immobilities
• pauses
• lapses
• finishes
• stoppages
• shutdowns
• terminations
• endings
• halts
• discontinuances
• expirations
• cessations
• shutoffs
• surceases

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shifts

Verb

Translation is a mutation of language, but not direct replication; something happens in the process that shifts the direction of the ideas. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

In my experience, three forces determine whether an innovation actually shifts the standard of care or just stalls after regulatory approval or clinical validation. — Erez Meltzer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

When its waters warm in just the right places, the jet stream — the fast-moving river of air that steers storms — often shifts its path. — Sarah Moore, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

The film joins Totem’s sales slate as the company shifts its primary focus to production. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 July 2026

For California, this typically shifts the winter jet stream farther south, potentially bringing more storms to Southern California, according to NOAA. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

The new investment now shifts the company’s focus from proving the technology to producing it at a scale suitable for future defense and aerospace programs. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026

That surge in demand should boost Marvell's shares as the company increasingly shifts its focus to CXL products, Arcuri added. — Hugh Leask,fred Imbert,justina Lee, CNBC, 28 June 2026

However, curators say that framing fans as fine art intentionally shifts the perception of what a world-class museum can present. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 24 June 2026

Noun

This includes inventory accuracy, reporting and KPI visibility, carrier performance, order status, labor capacity, fulfillment bottlenecks, returns volume and demand shifts. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026

Even if some of the dialogue was similar, the emotional conversations were very different, and playing with those tonal shifts was a lot of fun. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Yasiin Bey, credited as Mos Def, is Michael, a quirky law student picking up shifts as a prison guard who would fit better in a Wes Anderson ensemble comedy, but that’s also what gives the flick an offbeat rhythm. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 25 Aug. 2026

By requiring these brand owners to fund – and in some cases operate – recycling systems, EPR shifts the burden of waste management off local taxpayers. — Erin Victor, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Each year, the moon shifts, resulting in different characteristics, according to Thomas. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

This new stromal cell injection shifts the focus from traditional pain management to regenerative treatment. — New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026

The upcoming 2027 model will also be the first to feature E-Shift, an optional system that simulates the gear shifts of a combustion engine. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026

At the same time, the food industry is reportedly using the full force of its lobbying power to fight policies that could force more fundamental shifts. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026