shell 1 of 2

noun

ˈshel How to pronounce shell (audio)
Definition of shellnext
1
as in sheath
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it eating oysters straight out of their shells

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2
as in structure
the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form workers at the shipyard have thus far erected the shell of the ship

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3
as in exterior
an outer part or layer the shell of the building is all glass, making it conspicuous on a street with mostly limestone facades

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shell

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to peel
to remove the natural covering of shelling peanuts

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2
as in to bomb
to use bombs or artillery against the enemy shelled the city for days without letup

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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 shell
Noun
The bigger difference between the two is that the shell sitting atop the former’s Ford E-Series chassis is four inches wider and boxier, giving it more interior space to work with. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026 Older heated jackets were bulky outer shells meant to be seen. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
State regulatory paperwork describes a $25 million core and shell for an office building with groundfloor retail measuring 88,000 square feet. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026 Additionally, six facilities were cited for health food violations including old rodent droppings on the floor near chicken packaging and shelled eggs stored improperly. — Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
  1. sheath
  2. structure
  3. exterior
  4. bark
  5. bomb
  6. casing
  7. framework
  8. surface
Noun
  • It was designed with a column, sheath silhouette, with sequins, thin spaghetti straps and a midlength skirt.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Each Axvant hatchet comes with the leather sheath and five replacement fire-starting rods.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of sheath
Noun
  • The researchers designed the new electrolyte to tackle these problems by combining efficient ion transport with a more stable, solid-like structure.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • But this year, the office took into account the building’s distinct structure, which brought its valuation of the store down to under $72 million, according to Scheels’ assessment notice.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of structure
Noun
  • Beneath that Taylor Swift-loving exterior, there must be a Bin Laden fighting to get out.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • As head-turning as the concept’s exterior may be, its interior is where Sühlmann was best able to wed the brand’s past with its future.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of exterior
Verb
  • The video showed many of the dogs standing together on a dusty site, near dry brush, barking and wagging their tails.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The choice of dog variety, let alone how the animal was presented (alert and poised to bark?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of bark
Verb
  • Efforts to rescue people Monday evening were hindered as Russian drones launched additional attacks in the area that had been bombed, according to Mykhailo Semikin, a military official in Zaporizhzhia.
    — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The technology has already been used to bomb elementary school students, scam seniors, and drive dozens of vulnerable users to suicide.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of bomb
Noun
  • Disneyland My favorite new item available at Disneyland is essentially a flip book, albeit one styled as a vintage ‘50s-style TV with brown casing that can house multiple oversize flip books.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Investigators found seven shell casings at the scene, police said.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of casing
Noun
  • The parties agreed to a framework for an agreement in May that required everyone who filed a claim to sign off.
    — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Models reveal substantially higher PFAS estimates To investigate the missing concentrations, the researchers developed a statistical framework that accounts for results below laboratory reporting limits.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of framework
Noun
  • What new approach, idea or style will bubble up to the surface and change everything?
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The smoke seeps deep into the meat and lingers on the skin, with a crackly brown surface punchy with cinnamon, allspice, ginger and thyme.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of surface

Phrases Containing shell

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shekels
shell
shellac
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Cite this Entry

“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shell

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shell

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