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shifting

ADJECTIVE
active
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alive effective operating
STRONG
flowing functioning going mobile movable operative progressive pushing rapid rolling running rushing rustling simmering speeding streaming traveling turning walking working
WEAK
astir at work bustling efficacious exertive hasty impelling in force in play in process moving restless speedy swarming
Antonyms
STRONG
fixed inoperative unmovable unworking
WEAK
abeyant disinterested dormant idle immobile inactive indifferent inert lazy quiescent quiet sluggish
ADJECTIVE
changeable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
capricious fickle fluctuating mercurial protean unpredictable unsettled unstable varying volatile
STRONG
changeful mutable
WEAK
agitated commutative convertible fitful flighty fluid impulsive inconstant indecisive irregular irresolute irresponsible kaleidoscopic mobile movable permutable restless reversible revocable skittish spasmodic transformable transitional uncertain unreliable unsteady vacillating vagrant variable variant versatile wavering whimsical
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm constant stable steadfast steady unvarying
WEAK
certain changeless fixed lasting reliable sure unchangeable undeviating
ADJECTIVE
errant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aberrant erratic offending stray unorthodox wayward
WEAK
deviating devious drifting errable erring fallible heretic meandering misbehaving mischievous miscreant naughty off straight and narrow rambling ranging roaming roving sinning straying unreliable wandering
Antonyms
STRONGEST
normal
WEAK
correct righteous
ADJECTIVE
erratic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abnormal arbitrary bizarre capricious eccentric inconsistent irregular mercurial uncertain unreliable unstable unusual volatile wayward weird whimsical
WEAK
aberrant anomalous changeable desultory devious dicey directionless dubious fitful flaky fluctuant idiosyncratic iffy incalculable inconstant meandering nomadic oddball peculiar planetary rambling roving spasmodic strange stray undirected unnatural vagarious variable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm common normal reasonable regular sensible stable standard steadfast steady unchanging usual
WEAK
certain consistent definite dependable predictable reliable sure
ADJECTIVE
fitful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
desultory intermittent periodic spotty
WEAK
bits and pieces broken capricious catchy changeable disturbed erratic flickering fluctuating haphazard herky-jerky hit-or-miss impulsive inconstant interrupted on-again-off-again random recurrent restive restless spasmodic spastic unstable variable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
constant continual regular
WEAK
continuous even undisturbed unvarying
ADJECTIVE
fluid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flexible unsettled unstable
STRONG
floating mobile variable
WEAK
adjustable changeful fluctuating indefinite malleable mercurial mutable protean unsteady
Antonyms
WEAK
inflexible solid stable unchangeable
ADJECTIVE
incongruent
Synonyms
WEAK
alien bizarre conflicting contradictory disconsonant discordant discrepant disparate dissonant distorted divergent extraneous fantastic fitful foreign illogical improper inappropriate inapropos inapt incoherent incompatible inconsistent irreconcilable irregular jumbled lopsided mismatched out of keeping rambling twisted unavailing unbalanced unbecoming unconnected uncoordinated uneven unintelligible unpredictable unrelated unsuitable unsuited
ADJECTIVE
incongruous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bizarre contradictory inappropriate incoherent incompatible
WEAK
alien conflicting disconsonant discordant disparate distorted divergent extraneous fantastic fitful foreign illogical improper inapropos inapt incongruent inconsistent irreconcilable irregular jumbled lopsided mismatched out of keeping rambling twisted unavailing unbalanced unbecoming unconnected uncoordinated uneven unintelligible unpredictable unrelated unsuitable unsuited
Antonyms
WEAK
compatible congruous consistent corresponding fitting harmonious matched suitable uniform
ADJECTIVE
inconstant
Synonyms
WEAK
capricious changeful erratic fickle flickering fluctuating impulsive inconsistent intermittent irregular irresolute mercurial uncertain undependable unreliable unsettled unstable vacillating variable varying volatile waffling wavering
ADJECTIVE
intermittent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fitful infrequent occasional periodic recurrent recurring seasonal
WEAK
alternate arrested broken by bits and pieces checked cyclic cyclical discontinuing discontinuous epochal every other here and there hit-or-miss interrupted isochronal isochronous iterant iterative metrical now and then on and off periodical punctuated rhythmic rhythmical serial spasmodic stop-and-go
Antonyms
STRONGEST
constant frequent permanent regular usual
WEAK
continual continuing perpetual
ADJECTIVE
irregular
Synonyms
STRONGEST
capricious erratic intermittent jerky sporadic uneven unreliable
STRONG
aberrant eccentric faltering weaving
WEAK
aimless casual changeable designless desultory disconnected discontinuous fitful fluctuating fragmentary haphazard hit-or-miss inconstant indiscriminate infrequent nonuniform occasional out of order patchy purposeless recurrent shaky spasmodic uncertain unconsidered unmethodical unpunctual unsettled unsteady unsystematic up and down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
constant continuous dependable regular reliable smooth steady
STRONG
normal
WEAK
common conventional even flat level methodical standard systematic usual
ADJECTIVE
itinerant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
nomadic peripatetic roving wandering
STRONG
ambulatory floating journeying travelling vagabond vagrant wayfaring
WEAK
afoot ambulant migratory moving on foot ranging riding the rails unsettled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
settled
WEAK
permanent
ADJECTIVE
migrant/migratory
Synonyms
WEAK
casual changing drifting emigrating errant gypsy immigrant immigrating impermanent itinerant migrative migratorial mobile nomad nomadic on the move passing over passing through peripatetic ranging roving seasonal temporary tramp transient transmigratory unsettled vagabond vagrant wandering
Antonyms
WEAK
staying
ADJECTIVE
migrational
Synonyms
WEAK
casual changing drifting emigrating errant immigrant immigrating impermanent itinerant migrant migrative migratorial mobile nomad nomadic on the move passing over passing through peripatetic ranging roving seasonal temporary tramp transient transmigratory unsettled vagabond vagrant wandering
ADJECTIVE
momentary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
short-lived temporary transitory
WEAK
cursory dreamlike ephemeral evanescent flashing flitting flying fugacious fugitive gone in flash hasty impermanent impulsive in wink of an eye instantaneous like lightning passing quick short spasmodic summary transient vanishing volatile
Antonyms
STRONGEST
lasting lengthy long-lived permanent
WEAK
long-lasting staying
ADJECTIVE
moving
Synonyms
STRONGEST
changing
STRONG
advancing climbing evolving flying going jumping progressing roaming roving running traversing walking
WEAK
motile movable nomadic portable unfixed unstable unsteadfast unsteady
Antonyms
WEAK
fixed immobile permanent stationary unmoving
ADJECTIVE
on-again, off-again
Synonyms
WEAK
alternate arrested broken by bits and pieces checked cyclic cyclical discontinuing discontinuous epochal every other fitful here and there hit-or-miss infrequent interrupted isochronal isochronous iterant iterative metrical now and then occasional on and off periodic periodical punctuated recurrent recurring rhythmic rhythmical seasonal serial spasmodic sporadic stop-and-go
ADJECTIVE
pro tem
Synonyms
WEAK
Band-Aid acting ad hoc ad interim alternate brief changeable ephemeral evanescent fleeting for the time being fugacious fugitive impermanent interim limited make-do makeshift momentary mortal overnight passing perishable pro tempore provisional provisory short short-lived slapdash stopgap substitute summary supply temp transient transitory unfixed unstable volatile
ADJECTIVE
ranging
Synonyms
STRONG
differing extending fluctuating
ADJECTIVE
short-range
Synonyms
STRONGEST
tactical
WEAK
Band-Aid acting ad hoc ad interim alternate brief changeable ephemeral evanescent fleeting for the time being fugacious fugitive impermanent interim limited make-do makeshift momentary mortal overnight passing perishable pro tem pro tempore provisional provisory short short-lived short-term slapdash stopgap substitute summary supply temp transient transitory unfixed unstable volatile
ADJECTIVE
short-term
Synonyms
STRONGEST
interim limited momentary
WEAK
Band-Aid acting ad hoc ad interim alternate brief changeable ephemeral evanescent fleeting for the time being fugacious fugitive impermanent make-do makeshift mortal overnight passing perishable pro tem pro tempore provisional provisory short short-lived short-range slapdash stopgap substitute summary supply temp transient transitory unfixed unstable volatile
Antonyms
STRONGEST
permanent
ADJECTIVE
standardizing
Synonyms
STRONG
balancing controlling determining directing normalizing regularizing regulating
WEAK
directive regulative
ADJECTIVE
temporary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brief interim limited makeshift momentary provisional short-lived transitory
STRONG
acting alternate ephemeral fugitive impermanent make-do mortal passing perishable short stopgap substitute summary supply temp transient volatile
WEAK
Band-Aid ad hoc ad interim changeable evanescent fleeting for the time being fugacious overnight pro tem pro tempore provisory slapdash unfixed unstable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
enduring lasting lengthy long-lived permanent
STRONG
long unabridged
ADJECTIVE
transmigratory
Synonyms
WEAK
changing drifting emigrating errant immigrant immigrating impermanent itinerant migrant migrational migrative migratorial mobile nomad nomadic on the move passing over passing through peripatetic ranging roving seasonal temporary transient unsettled vagrant wandering
ADJECTIVE
unsettled
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitated changeable changing complicated confused disturbed insecure perilous perturbed precarious rattled restless shaky tense ticklish troubled uncertain uneasy unnerved unpredictable unstable
STRONG
busy flustered shaken thrown unbalanced wavering wobbling
WEAK
active antsy anxious changeful complex disorderly explosive fidgety fluid inconstant kinetic mobile mutable on edge restive shook-up unpeaceful unquiet unrestful unsteady variable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm certain clear composed constant definite easy easygoing firm fixed laid-back safe secure sound stable steady strong sure unchanging
WEAK
calmed content decided happy settled
ADJECTIVE
unsteady
Synonyms
STRONGEST
erratic groggy precarious rickety rocky unstable wobbly
WEAK
capricious changeable dizzy fickle fluctuating giddy inconstant quivery teetering tippy unreliable unsettled unsound vacillating variable wabbly wavering wayward wiggly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain definite dependable stable steady strong sure
ADJECTIVE
vacillating
Synonyms
STRONG
oscillating staggering swaying tottering vibrating
WEAK
unsteady
Antonyms
WEAK
constant resolute steady unchanging
ADJECTIVE
vacillating
Synonyms
STRONG
fluctuating hesitating oscillating swaying vibrating wavering
WEAK
changeable hesitant inconstant irresolute tentative uncertain undecided unsure volatile
Antonyms
WEAK
constant resolute steady unchanging
ADJECTIVE
vagabond
Synonyms
STRONG
down-and-out drifting fly-by-night idle itinerant journeying mendicant moving peripatetic prodigal rambling roaming rootless roving sauntering straggling stray strolling transient travelling unsettled wandering wayfaring
WEAK
aimless destitute errant fancy-free footloose migratory nomadic perambulant perambulatory shiftless wayward
Antonyms
STRONG
fixed permanent settled unmoving
WEAK
inhabiting
ADJECTIVE
variable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fickle fluctuating volatile
STRONG
fluid irregular mobile wavering yo-yo
WEAK
capricious changeful fitful flexible iffy inconstant mercurial mutable protean shifty slippery spasmodic temperamental ticklish uncertain unequable unsettled unstable unsteady vacillating waffling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
stable
WEAK
invariable unchangeable unchanging unvarying
ADJECTIVE
varying
Synonyms
STRONGEST
changeable changing differing fluctuating
STRONG
alternating deviating vacillating waffling wavering
WEAK
flexible inconstant irregular uncertain unstable unsteady volatile
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fixed stable
NOUN
movement
Synonyms
STRONGEST
act action change development evolution exercise flow migration move operation progress shift
STRONG
advance agitation alteration deed displacement dynamism flight flux gesture journey journeying locomotion maneuver mobility motility movableness passage progression regression steps stir stirring transit transplanting undertaking velocity wandering
WEAK
changing evolving moving operativeness roaming transferal translating voyaging
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cessation decline decrease idleness inaction inactivity inertia repose rest stagnation stoppage
WEAK
halt indifference pause
NOUN
reformation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
realignment renewal reorganization transformation
STRONG
alteration amendment change correction improvement rearrangement reconstruction reform rehabilitation renovation
WEAK
reworking
Antonyms
STRONG
worsening
NOUN
shift
Synonyms
STRONGEST
about-face alteration change conversion deviation move transfer transformation variation
STRONG
bend changeover deflection displacement double fault modification passage permutation rearrangement removal substitution tack transference transit translocation turn veering yaw
Antonyms
STRONGEST
idleness sameness stagnation
WEAK
deactivation maintenance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The AI chip market is shifting focus from model training to inference, a process where central processing units are key.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

Nomura analysts noted that chip makers are shifting toward more secular growth, moving from the highly cyclical patterns of the past.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Sandisk said last week that it is shifting to a new business model of “multiyear customer engagements backed by firm financial commitments.”

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Even the Cylons changed their tune as they interfaced with the survivors more frequently, shifting their aim from destruction to occupation.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

This shifting front of rich ocean, about twenty-five miles wide, is the most fertile ecosystem in the world, supporting awesome numbers of fish, seabirds, seals, and whales.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Vocabulary lists containing shifting

Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

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Lesson 1

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Messenger

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