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 Medics gave him fluids and pain control medication before placing him in a victim harness and hoisting him out of the elevator shaft. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 The first tomb features a square shaft about 10 feet deep leading to two burial chambers. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 At its center was a boxy concrete tower—a mine shaft that would carry us nearly two miles down into the earth. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 This will help to smooth cuticles and prevent splits from continuing higher up the hair shaft. — Nicole Catanese, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shaft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaft

Noun

That’s harder than trying to spot a firefly right next to someone flashing their high-beams at you.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The antlers grew off to the sides of the deer’s head instead of going upward, which contributed to the wide inside spread and long beams.

— Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of beam

Noun

Protective, almost — which makes sense, as its stunning chandeliers are designed to look like the shields and spears of African Masai warriors.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
The kitchen’s electrical oven roasts them during the daytime; they’re then chilled and served cold, with hot sauce, a ramekin of mayonnaise, and a pile of pickle spears.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of spear

Noun

Gloria Steinem attributed her mother's nervous breakdown before she was born, and her treatment in mental institutions and the workforce thereafter, as key to her interest in social injustices.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Movie night this past week was Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River, an absolutely devastating neo-Western that examines the injustice many Native American women face on and off the reservation.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of injustice

Noun

Tycho Crater is visible in the lower region of the lunar disk close to the shadow, while bright ejecta rays of reflective material brighten the darker lunar seas, where lava solidified to form basaltic plains billions of years ago.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
The researchers also used X-rays at SLAC’s Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource to track what was happening inside the electrolyte.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ray

Noun

The feeling came again when Wright, who played hockey, netball, tennis and javelin at county level in her teens, turned her hand to rugby.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
One of the most memorable is witnessing the Maasai Games, where warriors compete in events such as sprinting, javelin throwing, high jump, and rungu throwing.

— Nicola Shepherd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of javelin

Noun

Ultimately, the level of documentation should reflect the consequences of getting the record wrong.

— Beth Worthy, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Salazar’s attorney, George Rosenstock, argued in court filings that his client could not distinguish right from wrong or understand the nature of his actions at the time of the attack.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of wrong

Noun

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
As for the Speed, the museum returned three ceremonial objects (a rattle, a beaded pipe bag, and a beaded turtle amulet) and 21 other items, among them beaded pouches and bags, moccasins, a coup stick, a cradleboard, and a lance.

— Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lance

Noun

Parten said two police officers were wounded by gunfire and another had unspecified injuries.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Players can also request a three-minute medical time-out for each injury that occurs — which could include overheating symptoms such as dizziness or cramps.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of injury

Browse Nearby Words

shady

shaft

shafts

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“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaft. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shaft

noun

Example Sentences

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