Mechanical:
* The mechanic used a shifter to change gears in the car.
* The shifter on the old motorcycle was stiff and difficult to use.
Figurative:
* The politician was a master shifter, constantly changing positions to appeal to different voters.
* The artist was a shifter of perceptions, using their work to challenge traditional ways of seeing the world.
Science fiction/fantasy:
* The shifter could change their form at will, becoming a wolf, a bird, or even a tree.
* The spaceship was equipped with a shifter, allowing it to jump between dimensions.
Other:
* The new sofa had a shifter that allowed you to adjust the angle of the backrest.
* The shifter on the camera allowed you to smoothly zoom in and out.
The meaning of "shifter" will depend on the context, so be sure to pay attention to the surrounding words.