Synonyms of shells

shells 1 of 2

noun

plural of shell

1

as in sheaths

something that encloses another thing especially to protect it

eating oysters straight out of their shells

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sheaths
• casings
• coverings
• hulls
• housings
• pods
• husks
• cases
• jackets
• covers
• cocoons
• capsules
• cartridges
• shields
• coatings
• plates
• packages
• wrappers
• armors
• encasements
• crusts
• platings
• houses
• cassettes
• skins
• carapaces
• barks
• envelopes
• mails
• facings
• hides
• backings
• cuticles
• panoplies
• covertures

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

• structures
• frameworks
• architectures
• skeletons
• fabrics
• infrastructures
• frames
• cadres
• shapes
• armatures
• configurations
• edifices
• figures
• cages
• framings
• contours
• lattices
• networks
• silhouettes
• chassis
• outlines
• profiles

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

• exteriors
• surfaces
• skins
• fronts
• facades
• tops
• faces
• veneers
• outsides
• facings
• coverings
• masks
• appearances
• covers
• disguises
• shows
• guises
• semblances

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interiors
• insides

shells

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shell

1

as in peels

to remove the natural covering of

shelling peanuts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• peels
• hulls
• barks
• husks
• skins
• scales
• strips
• shucks
• exposes
• flays
• bares
• pares
• denudes

2

as in bombs

to use bombs or artillery against

the enemy shelled the city for days without letup

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bombs
• batters
• attacks
• cannonades
• bombards
• pounds
• blitzes
• blitzkriegs
• ravages
• rakes
• assaults
• hits
• enfilades
• strafes
• assails
• devastates
• strikes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shells

Noun

This includes shrimp shells, crab shells, eggshells, chicken bones, and fish spines. —Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026

Stantis’ drawing shows Jesus hanging on a cross with oversized bombs and mortar shells flying helter-skelter in the air. —Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026

Ikner then uploaded a photo of 12-gauge shotgun shells. —Jeff Burlew, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026

Valuing comfort above all else, this timeless silhouette can be modernized with various upholstery (including a few timely check variations) and wood shells. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2026

Distinctive mounds of pretty pink conch shells tower over the waves, piled up over the years to create one of Anegada's most important landmarks. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026

Plump leeks nestle into cheesy shells in this baked pasta, another knockout from Rebecca. —Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026

As for the details, the bag is made of two dark-chocolate shells layered with nuts, candied fruit, and hazelnut praline, then filled with milk chocolate and a center of praline and lemon caramel. —Air Mail, 4 Apr. 2026

Researchers even uncovered pottery fragments among the shells. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026

Verb

During the drive, a tank shells the car, killing most of the occupants. —E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025