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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shifting
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
At our newest campus in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for example students will train in a 25,000-square-foot facility equipped with interactive shifting simulation and a new curriculum that focuses on hands-on learning from day one.
—Samantha Greenberg, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
As the breeze moves them, the shifting reflections can further repel insects.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Consumer advocates and some regulatory analysts have raised concerns that the separate rate proposal is not strong enough to fully protect non-data center customers from cost shifting related to new energy projects.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The shifting perspective is the magic of the show.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The shifting explanations, the defense argues, suggest the decision may have been arbitrary.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Is shape-shifting is in her DNA?
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters Gemini, shifting conversations, decisions, and how information moves through your world.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
The mesh and rubber backing keeps it from shifting while preventing moisture from seeping through.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The serac is part of the Khumbu Icefall, a constantly shifting glacier with deep crevasses and huge overhanging ice that can be as big as 10-story buildings.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
But the rise of agentic AI is shifting the CPU-to-GPU balance in AI clusters toward a more even mix, according to Intel’s CEO, something the market has underestimated.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Dripping glitter, shimmering adhesive crystals, dramatic slashes of eyeliner and smudges of eyeshadow—there was a playful, shifting experimentalism here, to signal the young characters’ changeability and ingenuity.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Together, these forces — dissatisfied customers, lower barriers to entry, and shifting value propositions — are likely to intensify competitive pressure across the software industry.
—Michael Jacobides, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Maybe shifting your workday by half an hour would make a world of difference to your commute, or working East Coast hours would be a lot easier for day care pick-up and drop-off.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 17 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
At our newest campus in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for example students will train in a 25,000-square-foot facility equipped with interactive shifting simulation and a new curriculum that focuses on hands-on learning from day one.
—Samantha Greenberg, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
As the breeze moves them, the shifting reflections can further repel insects.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Consumer advocates and some regulatory analysts have raised concerns that the separate rate proposal is not strong enough to fully protect non-data center customers from cost shifting related to new energy projects.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The shifting perspective is the magic of the show.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The shifting explanations, the defense argues, suggest the decision may have been arbitrary.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Is shape-shifting is in her DNA?
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
That debate intensified this March, when city officials outlined multiple options for restructuring the city’s approach to homelessness, including maintaining LAHSA with reforms, shifting responsibilities to the county, or bringing more programs in-house.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters Gemini, shifting conversations, decisions, and how information moves through your world.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
The mesh and rubber backing keeps it from shifting while preventing moisture from seeping through.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The serac is part of the Khumbu Icefall, a constantly shifting glacier with deep crevasses and huge overhanging ice that can be as big as 10-story buildings.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
But the rise of agentic AI is shifting the CPU-to-GPU balance in AI clusters toward a more even mix, according to Intel’s CEO, something the market has underestimated.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Dripping glitter, shimmering adhesive crystals, dramatic slashes of eyeliner and smudges of eyeshadow—there was a playful, shifting experimentalism here, to signal the young characters’ changeability and ingenuity.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Together, these forces — dissatisfied customers, lower barriers to entry, and shifting value propositions — are likely to intensify competitive pressure across the software industry.
—Michael Jacobides, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Maybe shifting your workday by half an hour would make a world of difference to your commute, or working East Coast hours would be a lot easier for day care pick-up and drop-off.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shifting
Noun
-
Libra September 23 – October 22 A simple shift in approach brings things back into balance.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
After shift supervisor would come shift manager, followed by assistant manager, followed by manager, district manager.—
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Step back, limit input, and process what’s coming up before moving forward with clearer boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
April 19 guest commentary The recent commentary on the Colorado Connector rail service was supportive of moving ahead.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The veterans, of course, are terrific with one later episode set on a plane that finds Mulligan in top squirming form.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Like him, Rue is squirming under Laurie’s thumb, anxious to get out.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For the second time this week, the state Senate spent hours discussing complicated technology legislation, with lawmakers once again advancing a bill over strong objections that regulating rapidly changing technology could negatively affect local businesses.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
These advances are changing the relationship that businesses and consumers have with financial services.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Netanyahu is charged with breach of trust, fraud and accepting bribes in three separate cases accusing him of exchanging favors with wealthy associates.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In a similar manner, Liquid aspires to be more than a hub for exchanging crypto.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Along the way, the newshound nurtured a personal passion for writing poetry as an outlet for coping with homesickness and stress.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And coping with the disease has reignited her own Christian faith practice.—
Abby Roedel,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In addition to negotiating major deals — including Jackson's purchase of Neverland Ranch — Branca also helped orchestrate landmark moves like the acquisition of the ATV Music catalog, which included publishing rights to songs by The Beatles.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The moves come after a series of rate increases that tacked on an average $43 a month to customer power bills, drawing the ire of consumers.—
Kristi Swartz,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While relocating to Florida has its benefits—great weather, a large retirement community, and tax benefits—Investopedia notes that the state experiences hurricanes, and real estate insurance and air conditioning costs tend to be higher.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The developer, Village, and CTA are exploring options for temporarily relocating the CTA’s operations within the mall area, while Pace service will be rerouted as needed.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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