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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
This model offers a highly durable polyester construction with a thermal shield plus UV protection. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 May 2025 Why does the United States need a missile shield? Several countries, including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, have been developing missiles over the past few years that challenge the United States’ current missile defense systems. Iain Boyd, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
Verb
When police arrived, Foy grabbed a pedestrian and attempted to shield himself. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 May 2025 In 2022, lawmakers made those searches largely opaque by shielding finalists’ names from public view until 21 days before a hire is made. Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shield
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield
Noun
  • Progress on the bill stalled after ultraconservative members of the House Freedom Caucus demanded further changes, including tax cuts, sweeping changes to Medicaid and food benefits, border security, defense funding and more.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Hartford Courant Krav Maga is a self defense system based on that developed by the Israeli military.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Bear in mind, a tent does not protect you from lightning.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Matt previously spent several years covering Palace matches for the South London Press and contributing to other publications as a freelance writer.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The Charlotte Observer Chase Jordan is a business reporter for The Charlotte Observer, and has nearly a decade of experience covering news in North Carolina.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • However, cybersecurity does not have to be expensive; instead, organizations can take a strategic approach to implementing cost-effective security measures that provide maximum protection.
    Jamie Akhtar, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Yet President Trump has also called for a massive expansion of highway construction, raising the real danger that, without protections in place, a new wave of infrastructure will repeat old patterns of destruction.
    Deborah N. Archer, Time, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • A day after the singer, 38, shocked fans by walking the 2025 American Music Awards red carpet with a blonde bob — a far departure from her trademark long locks — Pratt, 41, defended his wife against hate comments.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • After seeing his pleas for peace talks or a ceasefire go unanswered for months, Trump conceded that he’s defended Putin in discussions over what to do next about Russia’s new attacks in Ukraine.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Yet operators are still cautious, and for good reason; giving an AI system too much autonomy without safeguards can lead to unexpected or unwanted results.
    Stephen Farrugia, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Privacy and security Apple has implemented several safeguards to ensure your privacy and security while using this feature.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Seeing rookies such as defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, and guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the second-round pick, out there running around with life-giving joy and their sky-high potential was refreshing.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025
  • Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will return to the American Century Championship, the tournament announced Tuesday.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • During his arrest a month later, a pistol, ammunition and other evidence were seized, according to authorities.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025
  • If satellites are their rifles, then software stacks and AI agents are the ammunition bunkers that empower those weapons.
    Charles Beames, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shield. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shield

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