shaft
2
7.5
- noun
- /ʃæft/
- Offensive
- The comedian's shaft at the politician drew laughs from the audience.
Examples
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Her sarcastic shaft about the team's performance was well-received by the crowd.
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Everyone was surprised when he made a shaft at his former boss during the speech.
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To tell me I got the shaft?
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One guess who gets the shaft.
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The only thing I will be getting is the shaft.
Blog text (23) -
I'm always getting the shaft.
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I'm the guy that gave your daddy the shaft.
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We didn't do nothing wrong and we still got the shaft.
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I find people who aren't in bad shape in their lives are getting the shaft.
Blog text (23) -
Their first fight was pretty good, and I think Kampmann got the shaft by the judges.
Blog text (4)
Synonyms
83
5.9
A short angry remark meant to hurt or criticize someone
33
8.1
A short sarcastic remark that criticizes someone
23
6.7
A pointed remark meant to hurt or criticize
13
6.4
A short sharp remark meant to hurt or criticize someone
8
6.3
An insulting remark meant to hurt someone
4
7.9
An insulting remark meant to hurt someone
To say something sharp to hurt or criticize someone
A remark that is harsh and meant to hurt someone's feelings
A very harsh and angry comment meant to hurt someone
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
19
3.5
A tall narrow space in a building where an elevator moves up and down between floors
- Specialized
6
4.5
A passage in a building that lets fresh air in and stale air out
- Specialized
1
5.2
A metal rod that turns to carry power from an engine to the wheels
- Specialized
1
8.0
A device that measures how a shaft turns and sends that information as a signal
- Specialized
A tall vertical furnace that forces hot gas up through solid material to melt metal
How Harsh
Surface Forms
Etymology
Shaft used for a sharp remark is not certain, but a helpful way to remember it is to think of a 'spear' or pointed 'stick' (old English sceaft) and imagine words that 'pierce'. That's why a shaft can mean a cutting, pointed comment.