shanties

noun

plural of shanty
as in huts
a small, simply constructed, and often temporary dwelling lived just off the beach in a crude shanty

Synonyms & Similar 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 shanties The bill will also allow restaurants to weatherproof and winterize their sheds and require restaurateurs to keep them from becoming trash- and pest-filled shanties. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2026 In Leland, historic Fishtown provides a glimpse into the area's fishing roots, with old shanties, smokehouses, and docks still lining the riverfront. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Midwest Living, 30 June 2026 Six shanties on stilts were damaged in a coastal village in Zamboanga del Sur province due to the quake and taller waves, officials said. — ABC News, 7 June 2026 This style blends metal subgenres with traditional sea shanties, accordions — accordions are rare in metal, bear in mind — tin whistles and steel drums. — Sofia Goldstein, SPIN, 2 June 2026 Check out Fishtown, home to historic fishing shanties that now house cool small businesses. — Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026 His voice conjured cannons and sea shanties. — Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 From an assessment of Stipe’s fecund beard, the two moved on to the subject of ship captains and sea shanties. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 24 Apr. 2026 Still, the rich history behind the day of laughter and libations remains behind the surge of shamrocks and drunken shanties. — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shanties
  1. huts
  2. shacks
  3. camps
  4. cabins
Noun
  • Sharaf’s report did not indicate that staying at the huts and waiting for better conditions was ever suggested or discussed by the guides running the trip.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • One group consisted of eight women staying at the nearby Frog Lake huts and two guides.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of huts
Noun
  • If beach towns are known for their boardwalks, seafood shacks, and sandy shores, lake towns play the perfect foil.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026
  • By 1975, Pierce had 20 shacks around Chicago, franchised to family or friends.
    — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of shacks
Noun
  • More than 19,000 people were sheltering in tents, evacuation centers and makeshift camps after the earthquake struck off Flores early Saturday, damaging at least 4,500 homes, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Many of England’s players only arrived at their club’s pre-season camps at the beginning of August, three weeks after many sides saw the bulk of their squads return.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of camps
Noun
  • Flagship carriers including American, Lufthansa, Riyadh Air and Singapore Airlines are all struggling to navigate the lengthy, multi-year approval process for bespoke cabins.
    — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Third Wheel room features a twin bunk set up over a queen bed, while the freestanding cabins sleep up to six.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of cabins

Browse Nearby Words

shanks
shanties
shanty
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shanties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shanties. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on shanties

Nglish: Translation of shanties for Spanish Speakers

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 balmy

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All