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 Personal choice and lifestyle aside, Belmo stresses the importance of looking beneath the surface at the hair shaft, scalp, and hair follicle. — Ata-Owaji Victor, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026 The mine shaft that Nelson fell into was sealed with a metal grate almost a year after the incident. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 Producers Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff are interested in Stallone’s script, and thus a shaft of light shines on his film writing for the first time. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 The collision sounded like two filing cabinets getting kicked down an elevator shaft. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shaft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaft

Noun

By changing its flight attitude, the platform could redirect the radar beam toward different sectors without depending entirely on a mechanically rotating antenna.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
In work that would delight any Star Wars fan, scientists have now created an antenna from a plasma beam.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of beam

Noun

The authors said that Shanidar A’s wound may be the earliest example of an ancient human relative killed with a wooden spear.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Remnants of a wooden spear weren’t found near the Neanderthal’s remains, which is understandable since the material often decomposes so quickly.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of spear

Noun

Yet some parents respond as though their children have suffered a serious injustice.

— Jonathan Alpert OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Saturday’s mobilization follows calls on social media to revive the yellow vest movement, which emerged in 2018 against social injustice.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of injustice

Noun

Look for ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in your sunscreen, which keep both UVB and the more dangerous UVA rays at bay.

— Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Factory 25 is planning a spring 2027 theatrical release followed by a digital and Blu-ray release.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ray

Noun

By his own account, the call went from early to wrong to decent, and now some of his clients are calling it crowded.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
More than 45 years after the first Friday the 13th, Brad Caleb Kane is righting a wrong from the set of the 1980 slasher.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrong

Noun

In the end, director Duong, recognizing Aunt Hanh’s residual indignation, lances that boil.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of lance

Noun

Not only were LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges absent after high-profile summertime trades, but returnees Kon Knueppel and Coby White were also missing because of injury.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
In addition to a person in his car dying from injuries sustained in the crash, another passenger was severely hurt, the release said.

— Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of injury

Browse Nearby Words

shady

shaft

shafts

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Style

“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaft. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shaft

noun

Example Sentences

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