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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to cope
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 shifting
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
Examples 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 shift
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
The market for sports skinny bundles has shifted, given recent news that Venu Sports is not moving forward, Disney is investing into Fubo, and DirecTV will be offering a grouping of sports channels called MySports, which was announced on Tuesday.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Jan. 2025
At Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, counselor Corey Marr has seen a clear shift in his students’ willingness to talk about their own mental health since Jesuit’s Hope Squad formed there five years ago.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shift 
Verb
And, while beauty brands are pausing business as usual—closing stores, offices, and warehouses—their efforts shift to giving donations to the victims affected by the disaster instead.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
The market for sports skinny bundles has shifted, given recent news that Venu Sports is not moving forward, Disney is investing into Fubo, and DirecTV will be offering a grouping of sports channels called MySports, which was announced on Tuesday.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
The change in leadership marks a shift for the Intelligence Committee.
—Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Jan. 2025
At Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, counselor Corey Marr has seen a clear shift in his students’ willingness to talk about their own mental health since Jesuit’s Hope Squad formed there five years ago.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shift
Verb
-
The couple had just moved from their modest fixer-upper in Altadena’s Janes Village to their dream home in architect Gregory Ain’s Park Planned homes, when the Eaton fire roared to life.Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Last year, Tesla shareholders approved a proposal to move the company’s corporate listing to the Lone Star State.Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
As the omen begins to descend onto Karen’s house, the hairs of the mermaids’ arms stand up; their scales twitch in fear.Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Not the American economy, which twitched from panic to triumph to panic and, in 1907, had to be bailed out with private funds from Morgan and his associates.Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Petterson told the La Jolla Light that SERP changes the conversation from how to conduct layoffs to how the district can reorganize staff, rehire and maintain a normal classroom experience.Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
-
Critics of the war said that only withholding military aid would change the Israeli approach.Edward Wong, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Dodgers reach deals at arbitration deadline Thursday was the Major League Baseball deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to agree to contracts before having to exchange figures for a potential arbitration hearing.Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
-
Gold — especially in bar form — is heavy, easy to steal and difficult to exchange for goods and services.Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Homeowners likely face fights with their insurance companies, as local officials grapple with how to cope with billions of dollars worth of damage.Obed Manuel, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025
-
Here are some tips for coping and managing pain:201819 Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), about 20 to 30 minutes before the procedure can reduce cramping and discomfort.Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
According to the Miami Herald, Poncho had been relocated twice for eating as many as four dogs, but had returned.Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2025
-
Around the same time, Lynch and his family relocated to Los Angeles, where Lynch studied at the AFI Conservatory and eventually began to work on what would be his debut feature, Eraserhead.Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes.Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
-
Minimize stirring because excessive stirring can damage the appearance of the beans.CAROLE KOTKIN, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
There’s little standardization across platforms and plenty of varying approaches to ad integration that could keep us from realizing blockbuster ad experiences across every platform.Jon Kirchner, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Getting to the airport will still be tricky, though, as roads and highways across North Texas had varying amounts of ice and snow early Friday.Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to shift
Thesaurus Entries Near shift
Cite this Entry
“Shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shift. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share