shift
verb (used with object)
to put (something) aside and replace it by another or others; change or exchange.
were 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.
The Wall Street Journal and news agency Reuters reported that new details in the investigation were shifting attention towards the senior pilot in the cockpit - Capt Sumeet Sabharwal.
From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026
Jackson’s presidential ambitions coincided with a pivotal moment in Vermont politics: The state’s voting patterns were shifting left, with new residents arriving and changing the state’s culture and economy.
From Salon ● Feb. 23, 2026
Though Kraft mac and cheese still ruled store shelves, and the company’s Velveeta Shells & Cheese also was a top seller, consumer tastes were shifting away from such processed foods toward fresher, healthier fare.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
"Americans are feeling squeezed," said Heather Long, chief economist at the Navy Federal Credit Union, adding that consumers were shifting to spending more on necessities.
From Barron's ● Dec. 16, 2025
My options were shifting: My best hope now was to stay put behind the electrified fence and wait for my parents to come through and rescue me.
From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer
