SHIELD Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'shield' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shield are defend , guard , protect , and safeguard . While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack. // shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

Q: When might 'defend' be a better fit than 'shield'?

Although the words defend and shield have much in common, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack. // defend the country

Q: When is it sensible to use 'guard' instead of 'shield'?

The words guard and shield can be used in similar contexts, but guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger. // White House entrances are well guarded

Q: When would 'protect' be a good substitute for 'shield'?

The words protect and shield are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure. // a hard hat to protect your head

Q: When could 'safeguard' be used to replace 'shield'?

While the synonyms safeguard and shield are close in meaning, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger. // our civil liberties must be safeguarded

shield 1 of 2

noun

ˈshēld

Definition of shield next

as in defense

means or method of defending the slightly built boy used his sharp wit as a shield against the school's bullies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shield

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect

to drive danger or attack away from celebrities who are shielded by a cluster of bodyguards whenever they appear in public

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cover

to place a protective layer over she shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shield different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shield are defend, guard, protect, and safeguard. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

When might defend be a better fit than shield?

Although the words defend and shield have much in common, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When is it sensible to use guard instead of shield?

The words guard and shield can be used in similar contexts, but guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

When would protect be a good substitute for shield?

The words protect and shield are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

When could safeguard be used to replace shield?

While the synonyms safeguard and shield are close in meaning, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

Examples 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 shield

Noun

Whipps’ request for the U.S. to install a permanent Patriot missile shield has stalled, after Palau’s Senate passed a resolution rejecting it. —

Reuters, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024 The ozone layer, a critical atmospheric shield, protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. —

Tom Howarth follow, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

Made with cozy lambswool and equipped with a practical zipper closure and convenient pockets, this coat is designed to shield you from the cold weather. —

Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024 Like modern stadiums, the Colosseum had a retractable roof In an extraordinary feat of engineering, Romans created a vast retractable canvas awning to shield spectators from the relentless Italian sun. —

Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shield

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield

Noun

Android 15 is a game-changer for security and privacy, with theft protection, live malware defense and even scam call detection all wrapped in the Android release.

Zak Doffman, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
Li's predecessor, Wei Fenghe, who served as defense minister from 2018 to 2023, was also implicated in corruption following his retirement.

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024