shell 1 of 2

Definition of shellnext
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 restoration effort starts long before the shells ever make it into the field. Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026 The Dodgers’ offense has been a shell of itself, as well. Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
Peas Fresh peas, whether snow, snap, or shelled, hit the market around mid-April. Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 27 Apr. 2026 The Yankees also sent righty starting pitcher Luis Gil to Triple A on Sunday after the Astros shelled him for six runs in four innings. Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
Noun
  • This week, the Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger in Norway announced its recent acquisition of a magnificent sheath, thanks to a curious hiker out for a walk one morning.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
  • That sheath scales with the surface area of the chamber.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • Designed by architects Jørgen Bo and Wilhlem Wohlert, the structure, on the grounds of an old villa, is as much a celebration of the outdoors as the art inside.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
  • Balance kindness with structure, and accountability follows.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Bastrop County detectives found evidence that Aviles had been dragged, strangled and assaulted, noting mud on her clothing and feet, bruising on her neck, chin and lip, and blood on her face and the exterior of her car.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
  • Standing adjacent to the Orion capsule, the Blue Moon crew cabin and exterior resemble the design of the lander's Mark 2 variant, which will eventually land Artemis astronauts on the moon, if all goes according to plan.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Most of these guys bomb because they can’t get used to the losing.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2026
  • Well this immigrant grandma never murdered 180 schoolgirls in Iran by bombing them to pieces.
    Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Officers found several shell casings at the scene and interviewed several witnesses.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
  • Police later said Gallon led investigators to a soda can containing two bullet casings connected to the murders.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • Florida should reject any framework that treats them as such.
    Kimberly Bird, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2026
  • That framework, Yeon says, distinguishes Korean commercial cinema from other markets.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • In other words, the surface numbers and the eye test are matching the analytics in Chisholm’s case.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 May 2026
  • Years of scouring the surface of a rugged landscape like Mars can take a toll on any vehicle – even one like NASA's Curiosity rover specifically designed for the harsh conditions.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • In the book, Turrubiate-Simpson questioned why the dogs weren't barking near the kennel right before the murders are thought to have taken place.
    KC Baker, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
  • But investigators eventually cracked the passcode on Paul Murdaugh’s phone and found a video with a barking dog and Alex Murdaugh’s voice admonishing it five minutes before the young man stopped using his phone.
    Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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