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
Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
The Goldrich, added Kean, shifts the landscape from darkness to light.
—Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
But over time, therapy often shifts.
—Ana Jarzin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The victory evens the best-of-seven first-round playoff series as it shifts to Anaheim for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday at Honda Center.
—Jason Hills, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Whether the exhibition shifts attention back to the art—and away from the circumstances that produced it—will become clearer when the Biennale opens next month.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Amid these changes, former directors and national leaders in science expressed concern about the trajectory of the agency and its independence as the administration shifts its funding priorities.
—Fiona Bork, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026
But just as quickly, the moment shifts.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
By nudging or priming people with these human-like cues, then that shifts us more into the warmth dimension.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
However, when combined with broader tax regimes, these tax policies may contribute to gradual shifts in where ultra-wealthy individuals allocate assets, particularly toward lower-tax jurisdictions.
—Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Either way, tonight shifts your focus toward partnership and chemistry, making plans feel more exciting once the emotional confusion clears up.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
As distribution pipelines narrow and the theatrical landscape shifts, festivals have become more critical than ever — not just as launching pads, but as lifelines for independent cinema.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
But then May arrives … and something shifts.
—Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 12 May 2026
In many ways, Stash notes that the personalization element shifts the emotional dynamic surrounding safety products.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 May 2026
For some patients, especially those already navigating hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause, the threshold is lower.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 12 May 2026
And now that pressure shifts squarely onto Detroit.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Installed within the Westchester Regional Library, a Brutalist structure defined by raw concrete and geometric weight, the exhibition also shifts the context in which the work is encountered.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
The Goldrich, added Kean, shifts the landscape from darkness to light.
—Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
But over time, therapy often shifts.
—Ana Jarzin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The victory evens the best-of-seven first-round playoff series as it shifts to Anaheim for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday at Honda Center.
—Jason Hills, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Whether the exhibition shifts attention back to the art—and away from the circumstances that produced it—will become clearer when the Biennale opens next month.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Amid these changes, former directors and national leaders in science expressed concern about the trajectory of the agency and its independence as the administration shifts its funding priorities.
—Fiona Bork, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026
But just as quickly, the moment shifts.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
By nudging or priming people with these human-like cues, then that shifts us more into the warmth dimension.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
Later in the day, the menu shifts to a mix of Chinese and international dishes, but the view is the real star.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
However, when combined with broader tax regimes, these tax policies may contribute to gradual shifts in where ultra-wealthy individuals allocate assets, particularly toward lower-tax jurisdictions.
—Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Either way, tonight shifts your focus toward partnership and chemistry, making plans feel more exciting once the emotional confusion clears up.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
As distribution pipelines narrow and the theatrical landscape shifts, festivals have become more critical than ever — not just as launching pads, but as lifelines for independent cinema.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 May 2026
But then May arrives … and something shifts.
—Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 12 May 2026
In many ways, Stash notes that the personalization element shifts the emotional dynamic surrounding safety products.
—Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 May 2026
For some patients, especially those already navigating hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause, the threshold is lower.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 12 May 2026
And now that pressure shifts squarely onto Detroit.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifts
Verb
-
Light-diffusing pigments blur the look of dark circles, blemishes, and uneven skin tone with a soft-focus effect, while the proprietary Flex Form Matrix technology creates a breathable layer that moves with the skin throughout the day—without settling into fine lines or creasing.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
10 May 2026
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 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
-
Unless something changes, Sazerac might not own whiskey brands like Woodford Reserve, Jack Daniel’s, and Old Forester anytime soon, but the company has been making moves in other sectors of the spirits industry.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
-
That will allow you to pivot your savings strategy once the economy changes and the rate climate stabilizes again.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Tom Holland swaps his padel for a HexClad pan while hosting his 2nd Annual Bero Padel Classic on April 29 in Los Angeles.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
The Philips 1000 Series Touchscreen Key-free Electronic Deadbolt swaps a standard deadbolt with no wiring required.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another interesting storyline will be how El Hadji Malick Diouf copes with Saka’s attacking threat down the Arsenal right.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
-
Our awkward hero copes with grief through humor while navigating relationships with her type-A sister (Sian Clifford), her nasty stepmother (Olivia Colman), and, in season 2, a hot priest (Andrew Scott).—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That Johnson was Hafley’s first selection in the secondary means he will not only be asked to contribute early but will surely have his coach’s attention from the onset.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
-
Some employ these tools respectfully and responsibly, creating new means to share the stories of victims or of the rapidly diminishing number of living witnesses.—
Toby Axelrod,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Spanning 1945 to the present, the Louisiana’s collection includes some 4,000 pieces, representing movements like European Nouveau Réalisme, American Pop Art, and Minimalism.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
But then a heavy beat drops, and the figure crouches down into a duckwalk, moving across the walkway in a low bounce before springing up with the circling arm movements of voguing.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Enter Hathaway as Rebecca, the new, sophisticated head psychologist who relocates from the city and quickly sparks a connection with the young woman that may or may not be flirtatious.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
Under the bill, state incentives would be clawed back if a team relocates its stadium, headquarters or training facility outside of Missouri.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifts. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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