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
Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
When a moonshot project failed—after years and millions invested—the team that shut it down got a bonus.
—Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
The bay door, which was supposed to open to release the satellites, was jammed shut.
—Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
Jia H. Jung, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025
However, the expectations are that no new player will join before the window shuts tonight — the only option, though unlikely, is a late loan from outside the Premier League.
—Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shut
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Verb
As John fell, Yvette reached out to push the man and shut the door, succeeding before she was also hit eight times by gunfire.
—Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
When a moonshot project failed—after years and millions invested—the team that shut it down got a bonus.
—Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Adjective
To avoid bottles that are glued shut, clean the bottle top and cap of excess glue.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 June 2025
The bay door, which was supposed to open to release the satellites, was jammed shut.
—Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
Noun
Tanya has no idea where folks will go next or what’s ahead for herself and the handful of remaining employees after Olivera’s shuts.
—Jia H. Jung, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025
However, the expectations are that no new player will join before the window shuts tonight — the only option, though unlikely, is a late loan from outside the Premier League.
—Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 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 5 Jul. 2025.
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