shell 1 of 2

1
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 pillow is breathable with a cooling shell and fully machine washable for easy maintenance. Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025 Tyla’s bold look wholly centered her jacket, featuring shells with a shine of muted golds and silver throughout to accentuate the style and add contrasting tones to the overall look. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Zach Agnos and Nick Anderson were both shelled in the seventh as Baltimore batted around in the frame, and then some. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025 There might be larger NSRs These findings challenge existing models of nova recurrence and shell formation, indicating that nova systems may evolve more rapidly than previously thought. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
Noun
  • Flavors of peach, citrus blossom, and guava are wrapped in a sheath of brilliant acidity.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Instead of flipping the bonus tools out of the knife handle, tying them on an accompanying lanyard, or integrating them into the sheath, KEA designs a hexagonal wheel multitool out of the lanyard attachment point at the base of the handle.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As Kerr has noted several times this season, teams play less often on back-to-back nights, instead using an every-other-night structure.
    Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The ribbed trim and longer sleeves add a dose of structure.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The exterior is crafted from water-resistant suede, while a thick interior faux fur lining keeps your toes toasty on bone-chilling days.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The thieves used a basket lift to scale the museum’s exterior, forced open a window, and used cutting tools to open display cases in the Apollo Gallery.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Residents have been forced to eat animal food and hides as community kitchens are bombed.
    NPR, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
  • An art conservator who'd prefer to be immersed in detail work, Sarah is bombing as the host of a dinner party where her entrepreneur husband (Tom Riley) hopes to impress an obnoxious prospective investor (Tom Goodman-Hill) when a literal explosive goes off in her neighborhood.
    Judy Berman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Authorities have said the two groups fired shots at each other outside on the school campus, and police later found 54 shell casings at the scene.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Incidentally, the berries — technically seeds with a casing — do contain toxins and should be handled only with gloves.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The race’s result will likely shape the state's legal and political framework for years to come, and may influence national debates about political speech, accountability for public officials and the boundaries of campaign rhetoric.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
  • On the technical front, the platform supports multiple engines and frameworks, with native templates alongside integration with Godot and Phaser.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The contributions of Sara Shallenberger Brown, Amelia Brown Frazier and Owsley Brown Frazier barely scratch the surface of what George Garvin Brown’s descendants have done, and continue to do, for the Louisville community.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
  • All that Wednesday fears surfaces once Lucas and his parents Mal (Tucker Boyes) and Alice (Allie Tamburello) arrive.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Playing with a favorite toy or going to their crate can replace barking to greet guests.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Despite their small stature, dachshunds are quick to alert their owners to unfamiliar sounds or visitors, often barking persistently to signal potential intruders.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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