1
as in sheath
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it
eating oysters straight out of their shells
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in structure
the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form
workers at the shipyard have thus far erected the shell of the ship
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in exterior
an outer part or layer
the shell of the building is all glass, making it conspicuous on a street with mostly limestone facades
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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 shell
Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
In addition to providing European and Asian lenders and companies a degree of cover when engaged in Cuba, the shells also opened opportunities for rulers to enrich themselves.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Here is what may be next for Israel and Gaza
In Gaza, witnesses contacted by the Reuters news agency said Israeli tanks shelled areas in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, forcing many families who had returned after the ceasefire to leave their homes and head northward to Khan Younis.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shell
Noun
Other traditional Easter items, including panorama eggs, also known as diorama eggs, are decorated with scenes or characters inside the shell, are available and made locally.
—Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
In addition to providing European and Asian lenders and companies a degree of cover when engaged in Cuba, the shells also opened opportunities for rulers to enrich themselves.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
Kyiv has denied the claim and said Russian forces shelled the station.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Here is what may be next for Israel and Gaza
In Gaza, witnesses contacted by the Reuters news agency said Israeli tanks shelled areas in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, forcing many families who had returned after the ceasefire to leave their homes and head northward to Khan Younis.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
Noun
-
Other zesters may come equipped with a protective sheath or covering to keep them sharp and secure.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2025
-
The 30-year-old was allegedly linked to the crime scene by DNA recovered from a knife sheath and cell phone pings, per the affidavit.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Dark matter remains effectively invisible by not interacting with light, but its interaction with gravity has helped to shape galactic structures.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The beauty is in the tension, where softness meets structure, glam meets grit, and nothing matches but everything makes sense.—
Ruhama Wolle,
Glamour,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trending Video 3 Interior Designers Transform The Same Galley Kitchen The stainless steel exterior is smudge-resistant and minimalist, with hidden pocket handles.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Its airtight construction, tempered glass windows, and ventless exterior were important to surviving the fires.—
Jennifer Castenson,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But Lewandowski is about to peel away to the far post, opening up space for Torres to run to the near post.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Once the eggs are peeled, the sulfur smell spreads more quickly.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Israel has bombed, besieged and raided them, some several times, while accusing Hamas of using them as cover for its fighters.—
Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh bombed a federal building, killing 167 people and injuring 684.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Five shell casings were collected from the scene near the camera, which is valued at more than $5,000.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The kids reported seeing a silver Toyota Tacoma at a campsite in the area at about 10 p.m., and sheriff’s deputies later found 10mm shell casings at Bradbury Flat and a 10mm handgun in Caton’s home.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
What inspired you to use Trevisani as a framework for your story?—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The Trump administration has outlined a two-month framework to reach a deal with Iran, John Hannah, a senior fellow at JINSA, said during a briefing about Iran’s nuclear weapons program Thursday.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The gardener starts by placing unwaxed brown cardboard on the soil surface without digging to remove weeds or grass underneath.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The ship struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic at 11:40 p.m. the evening of April 14 at a speed of 20 knots and slipped below the surface at 2:20 a.m. the following morning, according to the National Museum of American History. More than 1,500 people died.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share