1
as in moves
to change the place or position of
he shifted the vase closer to the wall so that it wouldn't get knocked over
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Relevance
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2
as in twitches
to change one's position
she shifted uncomfortably in her seat throughout the interview
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3
as in changes
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 swaps
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 copes
to meet one's day-to-day needs
left the others to shift for themselves
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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 movements
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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Cite this Entry
“Shifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shifts. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.
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