shift 1 of 2

Definition of shiftnext
1
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

shift

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shift different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of shift are expedient, makeshift, resort, resource, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

When could expedient be used to replace shift?

The words expedient and shift can be used in similar contexts, but expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

When is it sensible to use makeshift instead of shift?

The synonyms makeshift and shift are sometimes interchangeable, but makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

How are the words resource and resort related as synonyms of shift?

Both resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources
a last resort

When might stopgap be a better fit than shift?

While the synonyms stopgap and shift are close in meaning, stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

How is the word shift different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of shift are expedient, makeshift, resort, resource, and stopgap. While all these words mean "something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply," shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

When could expedient be used to replace shift?

The words expedient and shift can be used in similar contexts, but expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

When is it sensible to use makeshift instead of shift?

The synonyms makeshift and shift are sometimes interchangeable, but makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

How are the words resource and resort related as synonyms of shift?

Both resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources
a last resort

When might stopgap be a better fit than shift?

While the synonyms stopgap and shift are close in meaning, stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

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 shift
Verb
Over time, the rules have shifted. Mike Atchison, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026 Now something is shifting, at least online. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
Other parents lost jobs and income because poorly paid private duty nurses failed to show up for their shifts, forcing parents to stay home. Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026 Shipment decline To be sure, iPhone shipments could fall roughly 2% year-over-year due to a shift in Apple’s new product schedule, which may challenge Amkor’s communications unit, according to Moore. Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shift
Verb
  • And his favorite high school team, the Spartans, swept a two-game series from Sun Valley Poly with their own great pitching to move three games up in the Valley Mission League race with four to play.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Hortiz acknowledged working the phones in order to add picks and/or move back in the draft order.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Pebbles twitched, branches waggled, cholla wiggled, weeds erupted then dried up and died.
    Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Scandals and secrets will be revealed, facades will crumble, and families and friendships will change forever on both sides of the battlefield as this group of strong, game-changing influencers comes together to build their answer to #MomTok.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to City on Sunday has drastically changed the landscape of the Premier League title race.
    Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And so Lobanov and Stetsenko carried on with their plans, exchanging vows at the Palace of Culture and then heading to a nearby café with their guests to celebrate.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Chavez-DeRemer’s husband and father exchanged text messages with young female staff members, according to the newspaper.
    Seung Min Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • All of the substances are just [to] cope, trying to feel neurotypical while being in public, but obviously, that isn’t a real solution.
    Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Employees who may not have tolerated such cuts in the past are now coping with them, according to a January survey from MyPerfectResume.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Beijing calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, Xi was cited as saying by Xinhua, while supporting all efforts conducive to restoring peace and remaining committed to resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means.
    Will Clark, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Victims are stripped of their social networks, of their means, of their access to resources like finances.
    Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The conventions of American journalism don’t serve this shifting, multi-sided reality well.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Land borders dispute since 1948 The creation of the state of Israel in 1948, which led to the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians and a subsequent Arab-Israeli war in 1948, led to a further shifting of borders in the region.
    Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The race also includes software programmer Tim Riley, a political newcomer with a focus on relocating to the Aftershock music festival from Discovery Park to Cal Expo.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Bosch star Titus Welliver, Trevante Rhodes (Moonlight), Li Jun Li (Sinners) and Elizabeth Lail (You) are set as new series regulars opposite star Gabriel Basso in the Netflix action thriller from Sony Pictures TV, which is relocating from New York to Los Angeles for its fourth installment.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Shift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/shift. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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