SHAFT Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

shaft

noun

ˈshaft

Definition of shaft

as in beam

a narrow sharply defined line of light radiating from an object shafts of late-afternoon sunlight pierced the blinds and streaked the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in spear

a weapon with a long straight handle and sharp head or blade the footmen set their shafts so as to form a bank of steel against the enemy's charging cavalry

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in injustice

unfair or inadequate treatment of someone or something or an instance of this the homeowners who were bought out are convinced they got the shaft in that deal

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 shaft Medics gave him fluids and pain control medication before placing him in a victim harness and hoisting him out of the elevator shaft. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 The first tomb features a square shaft about 10 feet deep leading to two burial chambers. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 At its center was a boxy concrete tower—a mine shaft that would carry us nearly two miles down into the earth. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 This will help to smooth cuticles and prevent splits from continuing higher up the hair shaft. — Nicole Catanese, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shaft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaft

Noun

That’s harder than trying to spot a firefly right next to someone flashing their high-beams at you.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The antlers grew off to the sides of the deer’s head instead of going upward, which contributed to the wide inside spread and long beams.

— Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of beam

Noun

The kitchen’s electrical oven roasts them during the daytime; they’re then chilled and served cold, with hot sauce, a ramekin of mayonnaise, and a pile of pickle spears.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
Over the course of the 95-minute run time, Cole will also deploy knives, a fire ax, a fishing spear, various firearms, and his very capable fists to take out foes, but the lock marks a high point in terms of situation-specific ingenuity.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of spear

Noun

Miley Cyrus Miley Cyrus founded the Happy Hippie Foundation to fight injustices facing homeless and LGBTQ youth as well as other vulnerable populations.

— Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
To Kill a Mockingbird While Scout Finch and her father, Atticus, have become beloved characters of American literature, this novel’s true power lies in its heartbreaking account of race and injustice in the American South.

— Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of injustice

Noun

Tycho Crater is visible in the lower region of the lunar disk close to the shadow, while bright ejecta rays of reflective material brighten the darker lunar seas, where lava solidified to form basaltic plains billions of years ago.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The researchers also used X-rays at SLAC’s Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource to track what was happening inside the electrolyte.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ray

Noun

The feeling came again when Wright, who played hockey, netball, tennis and javelin at county level in her teens, turned her hand to rugby.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
One of the most memorable is witnessing the Maasai Games, where warriors compete in events such as sprinting, javelin throwing, high jump, and rungu throwing.

— Nicola Shepherd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of javelin

Noun

There are matches to win, obstacles to overcome, and a new ally in the form of Zelda (assuming Rebecca’s wrong to be a little suspicious about her attention).

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Rosenstock wrote in court filings that Salazar could not distinguish right from wrong or understand the nature of his actions because of his mental state.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrong

Noun

Additionally, objects of cultural patrimony such as five pairs of moccasins, one coupstick, one Cheyenne cradle board and one lance were returned in the ceremony.

— News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026
As for the Speed, the museum returned three ceremonial objects (a rattle, a beaded pipe bag, and a beaded turtle amulet) and 21 other items, among them beaded pouches and bags, moccasins, a coup stick, a cradleboard, and a lance.

— Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lance

Noun

CoQ10 may indirectly improve athletic performance by reducing fatigue, pain, swelling, and muscle injury caused by strenuous exercise.

— Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2026
At the same time, writing the final chapter of recovery only 10 days after an injury is far too early.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of injury

Browse Nearby Words

shady

shaft

shafts

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaft. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of shaft

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes