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
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
Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
And even if the door slams shut and the Rays actually do end up staying in Tampa Bay, the Dreamers’ effort wasn’t in vain.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Windows stay shut, inhalers stay close at hand, and the clean up of black snow is nearly constant.
—Colin Walkes, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2025
Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
The damage Moicano put on his opponent forced the doctor to wave off the fight as Saint Denis’ right eye was nearly swollen shut.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shut
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Verb
This puts the onus on your host to try and shut you up.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
And even if the door slams shut and the Rays actually do end up staying in Tampa Bay, the Dreamers’ effort wasn’t in vain.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Adjective
Upon arrival, officers discovered the first floor of the house was barricaded and that all the doors were screwed shut.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Windows stay shut, inhalers stay close at hand, and the clean up of black snow is nearly constant.
—Colin Walkes, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2025
Noun
Lily walked to the front door, tying the wraparound dress shut, trailing dust.
—Literary Hub, 9 July 2025
The damage Moicano put on his opponent forced the doctor to wave off the fight as Saint Denis’ right eye was nearly swollen shut.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shut
Cite this Entry
“Shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shut. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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