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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in twitches
to change one's position
she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
5
as in copes
to meet one's day-to-day needs
left the others to shift for themselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
desperate shifts to stave off financial disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shifts
Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
When a word feels too abstract, Jacobs shifts the phrasing, lowers the tempo or elongates a syllable until Siena grasps it.
—Reylee Billingsley, AZCentral.com, 7 Feb. 2026
In the ad, Yang and Hamm appear to be a bit salty that they weren’t invited to a party on Ritz island, though The Avengers star quickly shifts their mood, and the three jet ski through the sands of the bash.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Yet what makes the storytelling so unique is how the film shifts perspectives.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 1 Feb. 2026
It shifts responsibility from the individual to the organization.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The film’s reluctance to reckon more fully with Bell’s role effectively shifts attention away from state power and toward interpersonal grievance.
—Beandrea July, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
The camera then shifts away for a moment to a snowbank.
—Kif Leswing,terri Cullen, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
In the event of an impact, the vehicle’s safety system automatically shifts the seats into a safer rearward position while deploying the helmet airbag at the same time as the side airbags, helping to reduce the risk of head and upper-body injuries.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
For operators, the shifts, coupled with the city’s rising cost of living, have required a recalibration of how restaurants invite people in.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
If someone drastically limits caloric intake or routinely goes 24 hours without eating, the body shifts energy toward essential biological processes and away from nonessential ones, Rossi says.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 17 Feb. 2026
If foundation models are heading toward commodity status, then the strategic value shifts to whoever controls the integration layer and the user relationship.
—Ioannis Ioannou, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Fortunately, even among these aesthetic shifts, Taos Taupe by Benjamin Moore still serves as a beautiful neutral and pairs well with leathers and a rich, accenting color palette.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
The first notes drift through the house, and the atmosphere shifts.
—Zeyneb Sayilgan, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2026
The last Year of the Horse was 2014, but the last Year of the Fire Horse was all the way back in 1966, a year known for significant global, social and technological shifts.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 17 Feb. 2026
Later, as the Moon shifts into sensitive Pisces, feelings may soften.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
The team now shifts its focus to Sunday, when the Current will face the San Diego Wave at the Coachella Invitational.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
When a word feels too abstract, Jacobs shifts the phrasing, lowers the tempo or elongates a syllable until Siena grasps it.
—Reylee Billingsley, AZCentral.com, 7 Feb. 2026
In the ad, Yang and Hamm appear to be a bit salty that they weren’t invited to a party on Ritz island, though The Avengers star quickly shifts their mood, and the three jet ski through the sands of the bash.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Yet what makes the storytelling so unique is how the film shifts perspectives.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 1 Feb. 2026
It shifts responsibility from the individual to the organization.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The film’s reluctance to reckon more fully with Bell’s role effectively shifts attention away from state power and toward interpersonal grievance.
—Beandrea July, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
The camera then shifts away for a moment to a snowbank.
—Kif Leswing,terri Cullen, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
In the event of an impact, the vehicle’s safety system automatically shifts the seats into a safer rearward position while deploying the helmet airbag at the same time as the side airbags, helping to reduce the risk of head and upper-body injuries.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
When fewer fans are in the stadium, the energy shifts, and that’s not the home-field advantage our student-athletes deserve.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
For operators, the shifts, coupled with the city’s rising cost of living, have required a recalibration of how restaurants invite people in.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
If someone drastically limits caloric intake or routinely goes 24 hours without eating, the body shifts energy toward essential biological processes and away from nonessential ones, Rossi says.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 17 Feb. 2026
If foundation models are heading toward commodity status, then the strategic value shifts to whoever controls the integration layer and the user relationship.
—Ioannis Ioannou, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Fortunately, even among these aesthetic shifts, Taos Taupe by Benjamin Moore still serves as a beautiful neutral and pairs well with leathers and a rich, accenting color palette.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
The first notes drift through the house, and the atmosphere shifts.
—Zeyneb Sayilgan, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2026
The last Year of the Horse was 2014, but the last Year of the Fire Horse was all the way back in 1966, a year known for significant global, social and technological shifts.
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 17 Feb. 2026
Later, as the Moon shifts into sensitive Pisces, feelings may soften.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifts
Verb
-
The victory also moves the Horned Frogs closer to a regular season Big 12 title as TCU sits a full game ahead of West Virginia (22-6, 12-4) and Baylor (23-6, 12-4) in the league standings with just two games remaining.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Maybe when the sun moves, the players will accept a cap.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Persistent muscle twitches Everyone’s muscles twitch from time to time, usually at various locations.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Some devices, for example, track eye movements or other small muscle twitches to let users select words from a screen.—
Emma R. Hasson,
Scientific American,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The date changes each year because it is tied to the lunar calendar and typically falls between late March and late April.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The bill changes an 113-year-old model, Koch said, because rates are set on a cost of service ratemaking model.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Juliette Lewis swaps bodies with a chair in this new surrealist vision from writer-director Amanda Kramer (Please Baby Please) narrated by Melanie Griffith and co-starring Mamoudou Athie (Kinds of Kindness), Samantha Mathis (American Psycho) and Robin Tunney (The Craft).—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Jett, who is typically outfitted in a catsuit — no pun intended — swaps her sporty look for a glistening gold halter top and a pair of empire waist trousers while arriving at a particularly important game.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
How a canine copes with the holidays will depend on their personality, but owners should consider using a crate, blocking access to certain rooms, or keeping them on a leash.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Dec. 2025
-
The 10-2 vote in favor of the easier policy came as the Fed copes with an absence of timely economic data due to the four-week-old government shutdown.—
Sean Conlon,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The resort is not screen-free by any means, but given the abundance of activities, the natural beauty of the landscape, and the coziness of the space, very few people seemed to feel the need to be on their phones or tablets—and instead spent time connecting.—
Katie Mathews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Torres has a controversial legacy in Colombia, where conservatives have long derided his decision to seek political change through violent means.—
Manuel Rueda,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Agibot has unveiled the Expedition A3 humanoid robot, showcasing dynamic mid-air maneuvers and rapid spinning movements.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The bullpens have been exceptional, the pitch movements.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The fuel shortages have also hurt tourism on the island, with some agencies canceling trips as the government shuts down some hotels and relocates tourists in an effort to save electricity.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions trade group relocates from Alexandria, Virginia, to Orlando.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifts. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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