as in shift
the act or an instance of changing position
the shifting of the toys to the front of the display was a direct result of their sudden popularity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in moving
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in squirming
to change one's position
she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in changing
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 exchanging
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 coping
to meet one's day-to-day needs
left the others to shift for themselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shifting
Jonathan Cohen,
SPIN,
1 July 2026
This resulted in a deliberate shifting of certain emphases, new characters being introduced, and other adjustments.
—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 June 2026
Providing a sand source Beach shifting occurs naturally as sand migrates.
—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
In the Victoria Room, a centerpiece of kaleidoscopes and angled mirrors creates a shifting, disorienting effect that echoes Alice’s world, surrounded by lush seasonal plantings.
—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Now 89% off, this Bedsure duvet cover is soft and lightweight, and the extra ties in the corners and along the sides keep the comforter in place and eliminate pesky overnight shifting.
—
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
This is native 1080p and uses pixel-shifting to deliver maximum resolution.
—
Paul Ridden
june 22,
New Atlas,
22 June 2026
Nothing against the consumption that always follows production, but there’s consumption on concerts and soccer, or the shifting of savings to new, economy-expanding ideas.
—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Rashford’s form, Barcelona’s financial situation or simply the shifting of priorities at Camp Nou were all variables that could see the La Liga club decide against exercising their €30million option to sign the now 28-year-old permanently.
—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
19 June 2026
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 July 2026
Trump has redirected federal money to help finance billions of dollars of renovations, shifting hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds from National Parks and other programs.
—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
3 July 2026
Wellness, mental health and financial well-being are shifting from perk conversations to productivity conversations because an employee fighting a medical billing dispute at their desk isn't doing their best work.
—
Jennifer Schaefer,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Historically, the spring editions of the Paris men’s trade shows have been less significant business-wise than shows for fall collections, but that is shifting.
—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Colonization starts within hours of birth and keeps shifting over a lifetime based on diet, smoking, alcohol use, medications and overall health.
—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
Colonization starts within hours of birth and keeps shifting throughout life, shaped by diet, smoking, medications and overall health.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
Despite the extra funding, the budget continues a trend of relying on reserves, shifting funds, borrowing and suspending debt payments to balance state spending.
—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
Its advanced traction control and adaptive gait algorithms enable secure movement across slippery, loose, or shifting surfaces, including gravel, sand, wet metal grating, and cluttered factory floors.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 June 2026
Noun
The shifting, changing elements and extreme variation is a foundational principle baked into the DNA.
—
Jonathan Cohen,
SPIN,
1 July 2026
This resulted in a deliberate shifting of certain emphases, new characters being introduced, and other adjustments.
—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 June 2026
Providing a sand source Beach shifting occurs naturally as sand migrates.
—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
In the Victoria Room, a centerpiece of kaleidoscopes and angled mirrors creates a shifting, disorienting effect that echoes Alice’s world, surrounded by lush seasonal plantings.
—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
Now 89% off, this Bedsure duvet cover is soft and lightweight, and the extra ties in the corners and along the sides keep the comforter in place and eliminate pesky overnight shifting.
—
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2026
This is native 1080p and uses pixel-shifting to deliver maximum resolution.
—
Paul Ridden
june 22,
New Atlas,
22 June 2026
Nothing against the consumption that always follows production, but there’s consumption on concerts and soccer, or the shifting of savings to new, economy-expanding ideas.
—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Rashford’s form, Barcelona’s financial situation or simply the shifting of priorities at Camp Nou were all variables that could see the La Liga club decide against exercising their €30million option to sign the now 28-year-old permanently.
—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
Multiple soccer writers are reporting on social media that this game could also move time, shifting an hour later, potentially due to weather, but also possibly due to the potential overlap with the England-Mexico game.
—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
3 July 2026
Trump has redirected federal money to help finance billions of dollars of renovations, shifting hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds from National Parks and other programs.
—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
3 July 2026
Wellness, mental health and financial well-being are shifting from perk conversations to productivity conversations because an employee fighting a medical billing dispute at their desk isn't doing their best work.
—
Jennifer Schaefer,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Historically, the spring editions of the Paris men’s trade shows have been less significant business-wise than shows for fall collections, but that is shifting.
—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
Colonization starts within hours of birth and keeps shifting over a lifetime based on diet, smoking, alcohol use, medications and overall health.
—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
Colonization starts within hours of birth and keeps shifting throughout life, shaped by diet, smoking, medications and overall health.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
2 July 2026
Despite the extra funding, the budget continues a trend of relying on reserves, shifting funds, borrowing and suspending debt payments to balance state spending.
—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
Its advanced traction control and adaptive gait algorithms enable secure movement across slippery, loose, or shifting surfaces, including gravel, sand, wet metal grating, and cluttered factory floors.
—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
Beginning Monday, the focus shifts to whether there is enough evidence for a trial and if the death penalty is warranted, said Paul Cassell, a University of Utah law professor and former federal judge.
-
Mamdani has agreed to overtime shifts as long as 12 hours for the NYPD.
Verb
-
Why China is moving fast with robot hospitality China has already embraced service robots in hotels, restaurants, airports and public spaces.
-
Vibrations from earth-moving equipment could have triggered further collapses, possibly dooming Gil — and his would-be rescuers.
Verb
-
With the contact patch sliding and squirming, the brakes had less to work with—and the car took just enough extra distance to end in an impact.
-
Unless your companion could use a hand or is traveling with young kids (in the latter case, if this person also happens to be your spouse or partner, really not cool to leave them with the stroller, diaper bag, squirming kids).
Verb
-
The reason is that the administration has shrunk the requirements for reports of immunization from states, changing the reports from mandated to voluntary.
-
One is mainly about efficiency, while the other is about changing outcomes.
Verb
-
The former couple was very public with their romance, posting photos from their getaways on Instagram and exchanging kisses at award shows.
-
Swift and Kelce are exchanging vows at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, according to the Associated Press.
Verb
-
That was my only coping mechanism for that level of fear and sadness was drugs.
-
In many cases, Kallis said, the roots of this behavior were planted long before, frequently through trauma, abuse, isolation, addiction or distorted coping mechanisms that were never confronted or healed.
Noun
-
This move offers Scannell a fresh start in affiliated baseball.
-
What sustains him through that process, Craker added, is watching an artist move from merely singing a song to fully inhabiting it.
Verb
-
The company behind the transformation of downtown with the Power & Light District says relocating residents are drawn to the Lights’ amenities, like rooftop pools and exclusive events for residents, alongside the ability to live an urban lifestyle.
-
However, strict immigration rules, the country’s geographic isolation, and the steep costs of relocating mean only wealthy Americans can realistically make the move.
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
