as in shields
technical
a hard shell on the back of some animals (such as turtles or crabs)
Related Words
Relevance
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 carapaces
Specifically, carapaces spelling out 8647, which is either shell-speak for evil intent or a bartender telling Patel to 86 his personal booze and buy a drink already.
—
Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
There were two carapaces, and one of them had little stones that would just sort of dance on the top of his head — because truly, those were the only moving parts.
—Emma Forgione, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Time draws these kids osmotically through a membrane, turning them into things like us, adults captured by the brittle carapaces of our egos.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
There were two carapaces, and one of them had little stones that would just sort of dance on the top of his head — because truly, those were the only moving parts.
—Emma Forgione, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Time draws these kids osmotically through a membrane, turning them into things like us, adults captured by the brittle carapaces of our egos.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carapaces
Noun
-
For fleeing the likes of active war zones and relentless mercenaries hot on your tracks (and, of course, living to tell the tale), Mammoth bulletproofs all the windows and protects them from closer blunt force – or hot-firing shrapnel – with MOLLE-style blast shields.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 June 2026
-
Sherrill cited public safety concerns after officials reported protesters had set tires and chairs on fire, thrown makeshift projectiles and weaponized police shields.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The weathering of silicate rocks at the surface converts atmospheric CO2 into carbonate that ends up on the seafloor, where it can be subducted into the mantle with tectonic plates.—
Scott K. Johnson,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
-
These are called tectonic plates.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Kelsey passes around a bowl of clam shells with questions written on them as Liz gnaws on a corn on the cob.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
-
The madeleines are baked to order in actual scallop shells, and served with a side of jam.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
And the mess wasn’t just localized to the trash can—there were husks everywhere, like rose petals tossed by a rambunctious 4-year-old flower girl thrilled to be at her first wedding.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
How to Shop for Fresh Corn When buying fresh corn, choose ears that feel heavy for their size and have fresh-looking husks that aren't wilted or dried out.—
Martha Stewart,
Martha Stewart,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Bullet casings and additional rounds of unspent ammunition were littered on the floor beneath the window and a couch near where Jennings had fired from, authorities said.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Investigators are currently processing two guns and comparing them to shell casings found at the scene, Trinley said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Peak whale watching season is between July and October—but resident pods of dolphins and sea turtles live in the warm, protected waters year-round.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
-
The pods are generated using AI based on different presets to reflect how much pressure is on the foot, with less cushioning at the ball of the foot and considerably more at the heel.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Gulets with their hulls for that money will give you much more, believe me.—
Katia Damborsky,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
The third and fourth hulls already under construction at the Franklin shipyard.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The payload was designed to test a hypersonic navigation system capable of accurately identifying spacecraft position, even when communications are blocked by intense plasma sheaths during hypersonic flight.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Carapaces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carapaces. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
