1
as in to move
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 to twitch
to change one's position
she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to change
to pass from one form, state, or level to another
she watched the aurora in fascination as its colors shifted from green to blue
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to exchange
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
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5
as in to cope
to meet one's day-to-day needs
left the others to shift for themselves
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
desperate shifts to stave off financial disaster
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2
as in shifting
the act or an instance of changing position
made a small shift to the left to make more room on the bench
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shift
Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Even before those strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had warned that Tehran was prepared to shift its nuclear posture.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
On the rare occasion a visiting ship is in, the entire village shifts into gear.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shift
Verb
Erikson has held the yoga fest as a day event, and after lots of input, decided to shift to a weekend-long adventure this year.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Even before those strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had warned that Tehran was prepared to shift its nuclear posture.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
These shifts were measured with an accuracy of one part in a billion.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
On the rare occasion a visiting ship is in, the entire village shifts into gear.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shift
Verb
-
Prisoners have been moved because of staffing, food, and capacity shortages at the facilities where they were being held.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The rain will start to clear out Sunday evening as the front moves through and begins to usher in drier, but cooler temperatures for next week.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The launch can also be viewed on NASA's social media platforms include Facebook, twitch and X as well as NASA+, the agency's streaming service.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Curry’s body began convulsing and twitching with increasing severity, consistent with him sustaining a traumatic brain injury from being punched in the face, documents state.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now called The Palms — records show the home changed ownership both in 2018 and 2019 — the ALF has been cited by health regulators for 90 violations since 2012.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to investigators, Ghazali was also armed with a rifle and killed himself after exchanging gunfire with the synagogue's security guards.—
Jonah Kaplan,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
His truck went around 200 feet down a hallway of the building, and Ghazali exchanged gunfire with Temple Israel security before he is seen lighting the fireworks.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As Owens' family awaited the trial, her four children -- Izzy, Isaac, Afrika and Titus -- had to cope with a life without their mother.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Humor plays a vital role in helping older adults, especially, cope with aging and bereavement, according to new research.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
About 7 million barrels per day of that loss is being made up through other means, like the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Fujairah, in the United Arab Emirates and the release of strategic reserves, according to Kpler data.—
Victor Ordonez,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But Reich says philanthropy is still regularly used by people with means to cultivate their reputations.—
Katia Riddle,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Consumer advocates and some regulatory analysts have raised concerns that the separate rate proposal is not strong enough to fully protect non-data center customers from cost shifting related to new energy projects.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The shifting perspective is the magic of the show.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This film is about the government ordering the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies to maximize economic productivity.—
Adam Bell
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The restructuring will also relocate about 260 positions to Utah and establish 15 state directors.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shift. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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