1
as in sheath
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it
eating oysters straight out of their shells
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shell
Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
The stainless steel lamp shell can withstand rain, snow, frost, and sleet, and can even handle the lawnmower going over it.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026
Kiah Collier, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
Israeli tank shelling on Thursday killed four Palestinians east of Gaza City, according to Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of the Shifa Hospital, where the bodies were taken.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shell
Noun
Penne, fusilli, or shells would also be good choices.
—Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
The stainless steel lamp shell can withstand rain, snow, frost, and sleet, and can even handle the lawnmower going over it.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Investigators quickly identified Armstrong, then 35, as a suspect after surveillance footage showed her vehicle near the scene shortly before the shooting and forensic evidence tied a gun registered to her to shell casings at the scene.
—Kiah Collier, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
Israeli tank shelling on Thursday killed four Palestinians east of Gaza City, according to Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of the Shifa Hospital, where the bodies were taken.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
Noun
-
If not for Kernodle, Kohberger may have very well collected his knife sheath, quietly slipped out of that Moscow home and drove off into the night — leaving police with no evidence beyond the make and model of his car.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The sleeveless sheath featured a deep V-neckline and strong, slightly extended shoulders, with sequins running in dense rows throughout.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The progressive structure of the income tax system ensures that high-income taxpayers supply most of its revenue.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
When adults normalize reflective conversation alongside predictable routines, boys build internal structure more readily, and with far less conflict.—
Dr. Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Developers rescued the decorative cornice from the property’s previous building and worked it into the new exterior, giving the brand-new home an additional dose of historic gravitas.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The care-bot’s exterior is also softer to the touch than the humanoids designed for industrial tasks, with upholstery and foam padding.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For Lucy, that meant realizing that her dad had lied about his true intentions and his role in bombing Shady Sands.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Iran has been refusing requests by the IAEA to inspect the sites bombed in the June war.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Police recovered a firearm at the scene, as well as spent shell casings that appeared to match the firearm.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Investigators quickly identified Armstrong, then 35, as a suspect after surveillance footage showed her vehicle near the scene shortly before the shooting and forensic evidence tied a gun registered to her to shell casings at the scene.—
Kiah Collier,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Yet those assumptions have not been tested through a new Traffic Impact and Access Study — the standard tool for evaluating projects of this scale — nor through a consistent analytical framework.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Jaissle wants his players to have agency on the ball, but for that expression to exist within a framework and to be supported by intense defensive work.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Without a protective layer, any living thing inside a returning spacecraft would be exposed to temperatures about half as hot as the surface of the sun, or 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius).—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Most of this would be on grassy surfaces and car tops as ground temperatures will be too warm in most spots for accumulation.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Joe Musgrove underwent Tommy John surgery before the season started and Yu Darvish’s elbow was barking in spring training.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Charles’ pack of dogs incessantly barked blood curdling screams.—
Scott Haugen,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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