SHELLS Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

shells 1 of 2

noun

plural of shell

as in sheaths

something that encloses another thing especially to protect it eating oysters straight out of their shells

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shells

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shell

as in peels

to remove the natural covering of shelling peanuts

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as in bombs

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 shells

Noun

Much of the ground there has turned black with ash and many cars have been reduced to empty shells of twisted metal. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026 When mixtures of rare earth elements were introduced into the layered manganese oxide, the heavier elements—with their smaller hydration shells—fit more comfortably inside the narrow channels and bound tightly to the material. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026 This style originated on the British Isles in the 18th century, and by the 20th century, it was brewed by adding the shells as a natural fining agent, which also changed its flavor. — Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 24 July 2026 Juno has already used the same instrument to study Jupiter's moons Europa and Ganymede, where scientists believe vast oceans lie hidden beneath thick shells of ice. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 24 July 2026 Flag processes that start from user-writable paths and then spawn shells, interpreters or other tools. — Jaushin Lee, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 While the style is gorgeous straight-on, a peek at the nape of her neck shows that the ends of the braids are accented with cowrie shells. — Sunnah Rasheed, InStyle, 23 July 2026 Shelling has even become so popular in Sanibel that some hotels offer their guests special sinks and worktables for cleaning and packing shells! — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 22 July 2026 While all these behaviors aren’t necessarily great, taking shells from the beach could be the most detrimental of all. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 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

To further the house’s connection to nature, Wright used flagstone flooring inside and out and employed large sheaths of glass windows for visual continuity.

— Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026
Opt for bigger hanging bulbs, discrete flickers, or even hanging sheaths.

— Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of sheaths

Noun

His team concluded certain areas were good for parks or golf courses — but not for permanent structures, like housing.

— Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Maybe the projections are realistic, but the inter-company structures depend a lot on the types of numbers that executives often embrace over optimistically.

— Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of structures

Noun

The cabins’ sleek exteriors are a marvel, too, constructed from cedar by local builders.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
Video from Menasha obtained by CNN shows homes missing parts of roofs, structures stripped of their exteriors amid piles of debris, downed power poles and uprooted trees.

— Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 27 July 2026

Definition of exteriors

Noun

Investigators collected four shell casings in the exterior area near the rear entrance, which the Shively detective said in the affidavit corroborates footage showing Gray firing a firearm multiple times.

— Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 July 2026
There were more than 60 rifle casings at the intersection of 51st and Calumet Thursday night as police surveyed the scene.

— Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Definition of casings

Noun

This expertise should be cited and elevated within medical, public health, and policy frameworks for holistic approaches to HIV/AIDS care, not as a replacement of sustained infrastructure.

— Jallicia Jolly, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
For example, the European Union’s Digital Services Act and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act establish regulatory frameworks for penalizing platforms that fail to address risks to minors.

— Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 24 July 2026

Definition of frameworks

Noun

There was something similar last year, when Norris’s driving style would excel in lower-grip conditions, and Piastri would then enjoy the upper hand on higher-grip track surfaces thanks to his smoother approach.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Those outer leaves have the most contact with soil, handling and other surfaces.

— Olivia LaBorde, AJC.com, 21 July 2026