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

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

This discussion point also shifts the conversation from staying in the past towards the future. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 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

The plan also shifts $79 million in sales tax revenue from candy, soft drinks and grooming products — money that normally funds capital construction — into the operating budget. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Noun

While daytime staffing at its Sharp Mesa Vista behavioral health hospital already meets requirements, overnight shifts have been managed based on the number of patients in beds and on the severity of their illnesses. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

They’re soon joined by Beard, and her expression shifts yet again as Ted and Beard celebrate their reunion. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026

The rise in deadly crashes has some drivers concerned about navigating the construction zone, particularly with lane shifts and changing traffic patterns. — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Chip stocks are known for big price swings and can be rattled by geopolitical tensions or shifts in how hyperscalers choose to fund their spending. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Mazzoli shifts themes to a darker register as addiction takes hold and the music turns to electronica by DJ Blume and Lorna Dune for teenagers’ raves, mixed into the Scottish Opera Orchestra. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, the line of waiting customers behind them shifts and grows. — Elie Y. Katz, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026