1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

husk 1 of 2

noun

ˈhəsk How to pronounce husk (audio)
Definition of husknext
as in sheath
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it corn husks a high stone wall is the husk that protects the actor from prying curiosity seekers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

husk

2 of 2

verb

as in to peel
to remove the natural covering of the tedious task of husking coconuts

Synonyms & Similar 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 husk
Noun
Whole cobs of corn are cleaned of their silk, tucked back into their husks, and placed on the grill to char. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2026 As autumn progresses, the husk peels back, revealing the orange berries. — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
For less fuss, feel free to fully husk the corn and wrap it in foil. — Sunset Magazine, 1 July 2022 Some sold for several hundred dollars, husks good only for spare parts. — Aaron Calvin, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for husk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for husk
  1. sheath
  2. bark
  3. casing
  4. shell
  5. hull
  6. housing
Noun
  • Alcaraz is coming back from tenosynovitis, an injury in which fluid accumulates in the sheath that protects a key tendon in the wrist.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The tang had a tendency to work loose, and the sheath would often be less than secure, letting the knife fall out during a parachute drop.
    — David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of sheath
Verb
  • Tight end Trey McBride said Brissett barks at the defense after making a big play, particularly at star safety Budda Baker, which spikes practice competitiveness.
    — Doug Haller, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Linnetz’s rambunctious wire-haired Viszla mix, Einstein, barks at what is unbeknownst to him one of the most legendary skateboards of all time.
    — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of bark
Noun
  • Detectives later recovered 19 9mm bullet casings from the scene, which matched with the number of shots detected by ShotSpotter.
    — Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • At the scene, police recovered six 9mm bullets and nine shell casings.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of casing
Noun
  • According to a criminal complaint, Young used shell corporations and fraudulent billing practices to misappropriate funds intended for homeless housing, including through programs administered by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • On the apparel front, a Ballistic Tech Vest harkens back to ’90s utility gear, while Gore-Tex rears its head again on a circa-2000 Mountain Jacket with seam seals and another shell that reaches full length.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of shell
Noun
  • The underwater hull was painted with an ultra-low-friction coating system, which also reduces energy consumption by up to 10 percent.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Major naval engagements over more than the last four decades suggest that any navy expecting to fight near an enemy’s coast should be wary of building its force structure around expensive, irreplaceable hulls.
    — HOLMES LIAO, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hull
Noun
  • The original version of the property was housing for local cigarmakers in the 1800s.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Many people who want to live in a major city but cannot afford its housing premiums move to towns within a 45-to-60-minute commute.
    — Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of housing

Browse Nearby Words

hush (up)
husk
husked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Husk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/husk. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on husk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about husk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of watershed

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All