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

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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

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 shield

Noun

The Doom Slayer can even toss his shield and jump to it, acting like a form of traversal. —

Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025 On the walls were Tolokonnikova’s latest visual works: Russian police shields scratched up with messages and drawings of the anarchy symbol and tiny flowers. —

Steve Appleford, SPIN, 23 Jan. 2025

Verb

Langston was at the track and field meet at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs when what is known as a hammer thrown by another teen participant during a weight event cleared protective netting shielding spectators and hit him in the head. —

Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025 Swedish authorities have seized a ship suspected of sabotaging an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea, shortly after NATO beefed up its presence in the area to shield its underwater infrastructure. —

Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for shield

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield

Noun

An offensive-minded, proficient pick-and-roll partner is exactly what the doctor ordered for the second-year Frenchman — and Fox consistently driving into the teeth of defense with a trailing Wembanyama could be devastating for opposing teams.

— Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
Baylor freshman guard Robert Wright sliced through the KU defense for 24 points, 20 the second half.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 2 Feb. 2025