shut; shutting
1
a
: to move into position to close an opening
shut the lid
b
: to prevent entrance to or passage to or from
2
: to confine by or as if by enclosure
shut herself in her study
3
: to fasten with a lock or bolt
4
: to close by bringing enclosing or covering parts together
shut the eyes
5
: to cause to cease or suspend an operation or activity
—often used with down
1
: to close itself or become closed
flowers that shut at night
2
: to cease or suspend an operation or activity
—often used with down
Synonyms
Examples of shut in a Sentence
Verb
He shut his eyes and went to sleep.
She shut the book loudly.
I accidentally shut the door on her fingers.
flowers that shut at night
The door shut slowly behind me.
The owner is shutting the pub for the weekend.
They plan to shut the factory by the end of the year.
Adjective
She listened to the music with her eyes shut.
Check to make sure that all the windows are shut.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
A lot of players have been complaining about having no choice but to play the new event, so this should shut them up for a while so the rest of us can have fun.
—Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Emma Soren, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
The woman’s eyes are squeezed shut, and her hand grasps at Trump’s elbow.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
Andrew Greenberg, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2024
His mouth was hanging open; my co-workers had tried unsuccessfully to force his jaw shut.
—Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shut 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
In the time since his execution, Germany shut the consulates.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
A lot of players have been complaining about having no choice but to play the new event, so this should shut them up for a while so the rest of us can have fun.
—Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Some unrelated damage happens inside as well: On a keel while sailing, a bunch of liquor bottles and plates roll and break because a cabinet won’t stay shut.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
The woman’s eyes are squeezed shut, and her hand grasps at Trump’s elbow.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
One eyelid is swollen shut and is accompanied by a fever.
—Andrew Greenberg, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2024
His mouth was hanging open; my co-workers had tried unsuccessfully to force his jaw shut.
—Cleo Krejci, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for shut
Dictionary Entries Near shut
Cite this Entry
“Shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shut. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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