Synonyms of shell

shell 1 of 2

noun

ˈshel 

1

as in sheath

something that encloses another thing especially to protect it

eating oysters straight out of their shells

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sheath
• casing
• housing
• covering
• hull
• case
• cover
• jacket
• pod
• armor
• capsule
• cocoon
• coating
• husk
• shield
• cartridge
• package
• plate
• wrapper
• encasement
• plating
• bark
• carapace
• crust
• house
• cassette
• skin
• mail
• envelope
• facing
• hide
• backing
• cuticle
• panoply
• coverture

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

• structure
• framework
• architecture
• skeleton
• fabric
• infrastructure
• frame
• configuration
• shape
• armature
• edifice
• framing
• network
• cage
• contour
• lattice
• cadre
• outline
• profile
• chassis
• figure
• silhouette

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

• exterior
• surface
• front
• skin
• outside
• top
• facade
• face
• veneer
• facing
• cover
• appearance
• mask
• covering
• show
• semblance
• disguise
• guise

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interior
• inside

shell

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to peel

to remove the natural covering of

shelling peanuts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• peel
• bark
• hull
• husk
• skin
• shuck
• scale
• strip
• bare
• expose
• flay
• pare
• denude

2

as in to bomb

to use bombs or artillery against

the enemy shelled the city for days without letup

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bomb
• batter
• attack
• bombard
• blitz
• pound
• cannonade
• rake
• blitzkrieg
• assault
• ravage
• hit
• enfilade
• strafe
• assail
• strike
• devastate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shell

Noun

Crab shells, whole and in pieces, turned up all over the school, to be swept away with the dust and fallen leaves and other litter, placed in a trash bag, and carried off behind the buildings to the incinerator. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Swindle was the consulting pastry chef, so his chocolate cake came east, as did newer creations such as a pine nut tart, its shell all crackle and butter, with a pitch-perfect side of cardamom ice milk. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

Lebanon's state news agency reported new airstrikes and shelling on their hometown over the weekend. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Thin-shelled yet not overly delicate, stuffed with amarena cherry-scented light ricotta bookended by bitter dark chocolate chips. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing shell

• shell game
• shell out