1
2
as in spears
a weapon with a long straight handle and sharp head or blade
the footmen set their shafts so as to form a bank of steel against the enemy's charging cavalry
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in injustices
unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this
the homeowners who were bought out are convinced they got the shaft in that deal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shafts
The miners insist the two shafts were not connected.
—
Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shafts
Noun
-
Techno music blared as models in unisex knitwear walked a runway strewn with moss and split down the middle with bulky metal beams.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Then robot-like enemies appear, followed by new villains who descend from a spaceship and trap the heroes in beams of light.—
G Kirilloff,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hoosiers can hunt frogs with bow and arrows, clubs, some firearms, or simply, their hands, but Plumier teaches those gathered at Goose Pond how to use gigs — long, multi-pronged spears that look a little bit like tridents.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Just like tajín, chamoy makes a delicious accent for watermelon, jicama and cucumber spears.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
However, in both recent Sainz incidents, the lack of a grey area created even bigger injustices.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Debbie is a brilliant wife, mother, and advice columnist who takes matters into her own hands when a series of injustices forces her down the path of revenge, from #1 New York Times and international bestselling author McFadden.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The set includes two bundles of hibiscus-like flowers, made with flexible branches and crafted with plastic and faux silk that’s built to withstand intense UV rays and outdoor elements.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Infrared rays can also penetrate deeper into tissues, possibly helping to soothe muscles and joints.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Note, however, that although the initial criticism is what spurred this reaction, two wrongs never make a right.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
This does not mean genuine wrongs should be dismissed.—
Jonathan Alpert,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At a handful of locations, these spikes extended out to nearly a meter, looking more like lances than anything needed to ward off a close-in attack.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Following Reed's death, rumors spread online that he had been found with a range of injuries such as broken limbs that could indicate an assault.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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She was airlifted to a hospital in San Antonio, but had suffered extensive burns and succumbed to her injuries the next day.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Yet most of this capital sits in traditional stock and bond portfolios rather than supporting entrepreneurs who are tackling climate change, healthcare inequities, and other pressing social problems.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Travelers of color spoke up, calling out inequities and holding brands accountable.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shafts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shafts. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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