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
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Most people shift their weight from one leg to another without much thought.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Someone shares a problem, and Mike’s brain immediately shifts into Fix-It Mode, dispensing advice like a vending machine dropping unwanted snacks.
—Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shift
Verb
Although Erik and Lyle Menendez were originally sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, California law has shifted dramatically in the decades since their 1996 convictions.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Most people shift their weight from one leg to another without much thought.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
Officers arrested Carson, already in uniform for his next shift, and took him to the training academy for further questioning.
—Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Someone shares a problem, and Mike’s brain immediately shifts into Fix-It Mode, dispensing advice like a vending machine dropping unwanted snacks.
—Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shift
Verb
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Mederos had been more over the top, but the Angels moved his arm down about 10 degrees.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
14 Aug. 2025
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For neighboring Arizonans hoping to glimpse the site of the spacecraft soaring overhead, the moving schedule may have caused some confusion.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One of the 50 boys starts convulsing on the road, and as Jonsson and Hoffman’s characters walk backwards to see what happens, soldiers have their guns trained on his twitching body before a gunshot rings out.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
25 July 2025
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This is why after a snake is killed, its body will still twitch and move around, and why its head can still bite.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Businesses need to commit rapidly to change to avoid becoming obsolete.—
Adrian Carr,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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According to reports from The Guardian and the Associated Press, the vice president's security detail from the Secret Service requested that the Army Corps of Engineers change the outflow of a lake into the Little Miami River ahead of Vance's trip to southwest Ohio on Saturday, Aug. 2.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In vessel and vehicular homicide cases, the law exchanges negligence for reckless operation of a boat or car, respectively.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Adler’s poems are filled with the texture of daily life, meals, gardens, handwritten notes, glances exchanged.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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She’s seen this cycle again and again: young girls adapting, coping, hiding and then hitting a wall in adulthood, often when their own children begin to struggle.—
Ginger Gentile,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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For nearly two hours Isabella collected my thoughts on everything from vaccines to emotional coping strategies to policing in the U.S.—
Webb Wright,
Scientific American,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The partnership is relocating squirrels from the Dakotas into the northwest portion of Indiana.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
21 Aug. 2025
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The Prince and Princess of Wales are relocating from what’s been their home for the last few years, Adelaide Cottage, to a new location, Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Combine the vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
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But when temptation stirs and hearts wander, the whole town gets caught up in a swirl of romance, mischief and melody.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The cost per location can vary widely based on terrain and population density.—
Jon Brodkin,
ArsTechnica,
14 Aug. 2025
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The length of time Piano Man has spent on each list varies widely.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shift. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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