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
Skip the thawing step for the phyllo shells and simply fill the frozen pastry with pepper jelly, brie, and pecans. Brennan Long, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025 Sunflower Seeds Sunflower seeds are commonly enjoyed right out of their shell. Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Remove and discard intestines from lobster shell and place shell back in pot. Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025 In central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, Mahmoud Sharkawy, who has been displaced from Gaza City, said there was intense artillery shelling in the early hours of the morning. Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
Noun
  • Forensic technicians tested the sheath for DNA evidence, ultimately recovering a sample on the snap.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Flavors of peach, citrus blossom, and guava are wrapped in a sheath of brilliant acidity.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Flares such as this one reveal the presence of incredibly large stars near the hearts of galaxies and shed light on the very structure of galaxies, Ford said.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • This modularity allows researchers to easily tailor specific functions — such as efficient ionic conduction — into the material without compromising the fundamental stability or overall structure.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • On the day of the crash, the FBI collected pictures of the car’s exterior, paint samples and other evidence, according to an affidavit filed by the Justice Department.
    Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Diehard fans would recognize the cozy exterior of Meredith's house anywhere, and those who live in Seattle can even drive by it.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 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
  • Nine shell casings were collected at the scene.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
  • This includes stray rounds, shells, or empty casings.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Dual‑level engineering of metal–organic framework Taking on this challenge, the team showcased dual‑level engineering of metal–organic framework (MOF)‑derived hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers for high‑performance lithium–sulfur batteries.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Privacy and civil liberties advocates also warn these surveillance tools represent a grave threat and say there is not a sufficient regulatory framework in place or oversight to ensure federal agents are using new technologies in a way that protects privacy and constitutional rights.
    Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The porous polymer coating that reflects up to 97 percent of sunlight and radiates heat into the air, keeping surfaces up to six degrees cooler than the surrounding air even under direct sun.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
  • To better understand how solar wind energy interacts with Mars’ atmosphere and magnetic environment, and how that might have altered the planet's surface, NASA and the University of California, Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory are sending twin orbiters to the Red Planet.
    Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Similarly, in central Gifu prefecture, the government is experimenting with drones that play the sound of dogs barking and fireworks, in a bid to scare bears away.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Playing with a favorite toy or going to their crate can replace barking to greet guests.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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