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shield

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verb

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
Expect to wear a shield to protect your eye for the first couple of days or weeks after surgery, particularly at night. Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025 Clad in tactical gear and wielding riot shields and military-style rifles, federal agents lobbed non-lethal munitions, including rubber bullets, tear gas and flash-bang grenades, to disperse crowds. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 10 June 2025
Verb
The Department of Defense has deployed around 700 Marines to the City of Angels to help shield federal buildings and officials. Filip Timotija, The Hill, 10 June 2025 If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and shield your head, or leave your vehicle and find shelter in a ditch or ravine. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for shield
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield
Noun
  • Although the maximum sentence for smuggling one person is 10 years and Abrego Garcia is accused of transporting hundreds of people over nearly a decade, his defense attorneys point out there's no minimum sentence.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
  • But his 4th quarter rebounding and on-ball defense was superb!
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • It is believed that the alligator may have been a female acting to protect her hatchlings, reptile expert Kim Titterington told 7News Miami.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 23 June 2025
  • No one disputes that a government’s first responsibility is to protect its own citizens.
    Michael Sheldrick, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • While most Medicare and Medicaid plans pay for weight loss drugs for diabetics, they aren’t currently covered for obesity.
    Sonya Collins, Fortune, 20 June 2025
  • Anthony Slater is a senior writer covering the Golden State Warriors for The Athletic.
    Anthony Slater, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Just remember, tents do not offer protection from lightning.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025
  • The other is to gain antitrust protection through collective bargaining with unionized athletes as employees, which the NCAA has continually resisted.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • James Hurley gives a moving performance at the Road House outside of Twin Peaks, and learns of an unusual vision experienced by his cockney co-worker at Great Northern security, Freddie, who will defend James from the attack of a jealous husband with a most unusual strength-enhancing glove.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 20 June 2025
  • The administration continues to defend its use of tariffs by arguing that emergency powers give the president the authority to regulate imports during national emergencies, and officials have argued that the country's trade deficit qualifies as a national emergency.
    Peter Aitken Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Despite known risks, there are currently no standardized safeguards requiring companies to detect or interrupt these escalating interactions.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
  • Your Slack messages ask someone to override a safeguard.
    Ankush Chowdhary, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton has exercised his player option for the 2025-26 season, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.
    Eric Nehm, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • At Friday’s hearing, he is also set to address a state request to limit troops under federal control to guarding federal buildings, and to bar them from accompanying Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on the workplace raids that sparked the protests.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Authorities also seized drugs, weapons, ammunition, tactical equipment, vehicles and the two properties.
    Alexandra Mendoza, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
  • Hosts and guests are always required to comply with applicable laws concerning firearms, ammunition, dangerous objects, and other self-defense devices.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shield. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shield

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