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
Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
The shams zip completely closed, so there’s no shifting or falling out of the case.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2025
While wireless derailleurs may offer fast and precise electronic shifting, the things ain't cheap.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
The shifting of boundaries that has come with the mid-decade redistricting process in several states this year has scrambled members’ priorities.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 26 Dec. 2025
All of this shifting also means that leading companies will have more fluid, modular workforces, with systems in place that can match emerging work needs with available capabilities.
—Kevin Oakes, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
Vena was less certain about the shifting of trackage rights, which allow for trains from one railroad to use the tracks of another.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Dec. 2025
That portion of the starlight is changed as a result, with its brightness and wavelength shifting, consistent with certain elements and compounds in the planetary air.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 Dec. 2025
The result was culture shifting—frenzied speculation, record-breaking viewing figures, Kate Bush flying up the charts.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Frequent drone and artillery attacks on the key highway and rail line have forced Kyiv to find alternative supply routes, shifting the hub function away from Pokrovsk – a major success for the Russians.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
If the claims are true, this new shape-shifting jet engine could make future aircraft faster, stealthier, and far more fuel efficient.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Other New York business leaders share Catsimatidis’s apprehensions, with several reportedly considering curtailing investments or shifting out of the city.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
With cuisine drawn from various regions across Anatolia, especially its diverse southeast region, the menu is constantly shifting and incorporating seasonal produce.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
This could look like spontaneous travel plans, shifting your career focus or even a spiritual awakening.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Danny Brown, Stardust The always fascinating and shape-shifting Danny Brown returns this week with new album Stardust, his delving into the world of hyperpop.
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Selected for Locarno’s Pardi di Domani before appearing in Seville’s Official Shorts, the film traces emancipation, hiding and survival of spirit through labor, movement and shifting bodies.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Windows remain a talking point — particularly amid a potential acquisition of a legacy studio by a streamer — as does volume and the shifting of moviegoing habits.
—Verb
Balance these with dependable evergreen trees for an ever-shifting palette of color in the landscape.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
Officers in certain other units, such as foot patrol and community resource officers, had been transferred to nightly patrol shifts.—
-
The company also highlighted its shift toward a Robot-as-a-Service model, indicating readiness for global commercial deployment rather than experimental use.—
Verb
-
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York voted against moving ahead with the package, along with all but eight of his Democratic colleagues.—
-
Director Michael Arden, meanwhile, is up to his elbows just moving the cumbersome Legos of Dane Laffrey’s set around.—
Verb
-
An annual tradition in the legal circle, as well as his UCLA symposium sit-downs, the hourlong speech from the predominantly softspoken Ziffren clearly had a few attendees squirming in their seats near the end.—
-
Hungry birds looking for dozens of squirming caterpillars a day to feed their young can easily find the insects on oak trees.—
Verb
-
Strategically using dimmers, light-filtering and -blocking window coverings, and temperature-changing light sources also offer sensory support.—
-
Events like moving to a new neighborhood, buying a new car, changing jobs or even adjusting one’s daily commute can be enough to warrant a review of one’s risks and coverage.—
Verb
-
The organization and its arbitration-eligible players had faced a Thursday deadline for exchanging salary figures.—
-
Video made public Friday shows the 37-year-old and her wife exchanging words with ICE officers in the seconds before the shooting.—
Verb
-
Worrying about finding a bathroom, coping with abdominal pain, and apprehension about symptoms starting or coming back all cause stress.—
-
The theme is an evolution of Glimmers, a macro trend from WGSN’s Future Consumer 2026 forecast that examines the coping tool for consumers as the world faces multiple crises.—
Noun
-
The addition of Bregman was the second major move by the Cubs in a matter of days.—
-
And in an unusual move, Rubio has used her ballot measure committee to pay a nearly $4,000 monthly salary to a campaign worker.—
Verb
-
To increase humidity, consider using a plant humidifier or relocating the plant to areas of the home with higher moisture, such as the bathroom.—
-
Another important detail to note about Carmel for anyone considering relocating there is the cost of housing.—
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share