1
as in sheaths
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it
eating oysters straight out of their shells
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in structures
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 exteriors
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shells
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
First, there are the concentric circle features, which look like wispy shells of ejecta blown off of the star.
—Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
Outopia currently counts six core product lines, covering outerwear categories such as base layers, soft shells and hard shells.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
When activated, the leg shells pick up the heels and propel the feet purposefully forward.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
This clam chowder can be made 2 days ahead and refrigerated, or 2 months ahead and frozen (sans clam shells).
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
The third and final is chitosan, which is created from the shells of crustaceans and insects.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Six eggs with broken shells got hit with Stop Sales.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
From the north and from the island’s southern highpoint, 550-foot Mount Suribachi, shells and small arms fire rained on the Marines, the Courant reported.
—Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
Sandwiches Don’t be tempted by the deli sandwiches sold in plastic clam shells, the cold bread and sad cold cuts are not worth it.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
First, there are the concentric circle features, which look like wispy shells of ejecta blown off of the star.
—Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
Outopia currently counts six core product lines, covering outerwear categories such as base layers, soft shells and hard shells.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
When activated, the leg shells pick up the heels and propel the feet purposefully forward.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
This clam chowder can be made 2 days ahead and refrigerated, or 2 months ahead and frozen (sans clam shells).
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
The third and final is chitosan, which is created from the shells of crustaceans and insects.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Six eggs with broken shells got hit with Stop Sales.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
From the north and from the island’s southern highpoint, 550-foot Mount Suribachi, shells and small arms fire rained on the Marines, the Courant reported.
—Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
During the drive, a tank shells the car, killing most of the occupants.
—E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shells
Noun
-
Nuts and fatty fishes, like salmon and sardines, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for building the insulating sheaths that surround the nerve fibers that carry information from one brain cell to another.—
Dana G. Smith,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Taylor, then with her fourth husband Richard Burton, wanted to ditch her formal '50s style of long skirts and tasteful sheaths.—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Yung said the structures were placed at depths of 15 feet when the lake was 8 feet low.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
As many as 1,400 structures, including houses, were destroyed.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The new Ceccarelli 40 was developed in partnership with Francesco Paszkowski Design, with Sebastian Martinez spearheading the exteriors, Names Studio executing naval architecture, and Margherita Casprini working on interiors.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
2 Feb. 2026
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These shoes are specifically designed for inclement weather (winter slush included), and the waterproof Goretex exteriors will keep you warm and dry even if your next travel destination just received a truckload of snow.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Low tides offer a look as the ocean peels back to give people a glimpse at the critters and plant life usually underwater.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Though the show peels back a layer or two in every episode, Barrera’s character remains a bit of a cipher.—
Sofía Tafich,
Vogue,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Page Six gets a Hollywood edition Papps declined last week to reveal what stories his reporters were chasing and what bombs the political columnists will throw in its first editions.—
Christopher Weber,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
If Venezuela and its region instead spiral into chaos and suffering, Trump will merely look like a bully, a president who cowers when facing the mighty — in Moscow or Beijing, say — but bombs those who can’t return fire, whether in Nigeria, Yemen or Venezuela.—
Andreas Kluth,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Officers found multiple shell casings at the scene.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
There were no cartridge casings or blood outside.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Senate should advance ethical AI frameworks, protect privacy, establish clear accountability, invest in workforce retraining programs, and ensure innovation benefits all sectors without undermining safety or civil liberties.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
These include multiyear infrastructure projects, regulatory frameworks designed for companies that may not show up, and talent pipelines built for a hiring market that’s already cooling.—
Judah Taub,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The leather of both has softened with age, but there are no cracks in their surfaces, the insulation is still lofty enough for thermal efficiency, and neither the Give’r nor the Kinco’s extended cuffs have stretched beyond normal wear.—
Maggie Slepian,
Outside,
13 Feb. 2026
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Its triangular legs are designed to stay secure on grass and pebbly surfaces.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shells. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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