1
as in to close
to position (something) so as to prevent passage through an opening
please shut the door when you leave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in blocked
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 shut
Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
That opacity serves a clear purpose, but Martelli is enamored by it to a fault, and Inés’ refusal to question the people around her or make any significant decisions beyond keeping her mouth shut eventually proves more trying than helpful.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have started reducing output as the Strait of Hormuz remains shut and storage rapidly fills up.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shut
Verb
Ars reviewed several objections to the settlement, as well as letters from objectors who claimed that the authors’ legal team was trying to unfairly shut them out from voicing concerns.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
That opacity serves a clear purpose, but Martelli is enamored by it to a fault, and Inés’ refusal to question the people around her or make any significant decisions beyond keeping her mouth shut eventually proves more trying than helpful.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 May 2026
Adjective
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a late Thursday speech that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil trade, should remain shut and that Tehran could open other fronts in the war if the conflict persists.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have started reducing output as the Strait of Hormuz remains shut and storage rapidly fills up.
—Bloomberg Wire, Dallas Morning News, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shut
Verb
-
But his golf ball was close enough to a sprinkler cap that he was given free relief, dropped on the fringe and putted it to close range for a par.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
-
After Anaheim closed to within 3-1, Pavel Dorofeyev scored two third-period goals.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
If existing tools were built around outdated assumptions, adopting them may lock you into the same limitations.—
Tetiana Aleksandrova,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
The Trojans managed to take one of three against Oregon to at least lock up a bye until Friday in the Big Ten tournament.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Three other vehicles with human drivers then appeared to illegally pass the stopped bus.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The truck crossed into the eastbound lane and crashed into the stopped Kia, striking the three pedestrians, CHP said.—
Aidin Vaziri,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Our buildings are designed to use a closed-loop system.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2026
-
For instance, access to closed captioning and online-public comments differs on a case-by-case basis, with funding playing an important role.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
There was a two-shot swing at the 13th when Bhatia holed a 10-foot birdie putt and Berger had a plugged lie in a bunker, facing a shot to the crispy green with water on the other side.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Some possibilities include: Insufficient airflow in the cabin: This could be a problem with a bad blower motor, but more commonly a plugged cabin air filter.—
Amanda Wallace,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Considering the Heat will continue to play to win, and therefore continue to play veterans for consistent minutes, the youth pipeline potentially could prove clogged by yet another mid-tier first-round pick.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
-
Just be sure to leave enough clearance on all four sides of the condenser to prevent clogged coils.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
StubHub should have disclosed the obstructed view upfront.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Depending on your vantage point, the band was often semi-obstructed or blocked from view.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shut. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
