shift
verb (used with object)
to put (something) aside and replace it by another or others; change or exchange.
was shifting
-
past progressiveof shift.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
In June, digital bank Revolut said it was shifting away from its "remote-first" policy for new recruits in 2027, but for other employees that policy wouldn't change.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
Allbirds, another once-popular apparel retailer based in San Francisco, announced last month it was shifting its focus from sneakers to AI chips.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026
Earlier this year, Fernando Fernandez, Unilever’s CEO and former president of the company’s beauty and well-being business, said the group was shifting its portfolio into more beauty, well-being and personal care.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 20, 2026
Verizon Communications CEO Dan Schulman, on a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last week, said the job market was shifting so rapidly that more turmoil was all but inevitable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026
I fiddled with my radio until I found a report that an early tropical storm was shifting north from Cuba and might hit the keys with hurricane force winds by nightfall.
From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos
