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
Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Officials said Theobald was on active parole and had shotgun shells in his pocket.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Both quarterbacks faced quality defenses and challenges in their own ways — Herbert with the withering pass rush and Nix with the frustrating Jesse Minter shells that keep everything in front and require a combination of patience and opportunism.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Kennebunkport, Maine Lobster boats bob in the waves and beachcombers search for shells.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Removing the shells from whole pumpkin seeds can be challenging and time-consuming due to their hard, fibrous shells.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 19 Sep. 2025
The clip then cuts to reveal a pile of nut shells scattered beneath the seats.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Crispy wonton shells filled with savory spam and fresh toppings.
—Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said law enforcement recovered three shotgun shells, approximately 116 rifle rounds and one live round from a handgun from the scene at Annunciation.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Collect shells in a second bowl to appear tidy.
—Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Officials said Theobald was on active parole and had shotgun shells in his pocket.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Both quarterbacks faced quality defenses and challenges in their own ways — Herbert with the withering pass rush and Nix with the frustrating Jesse Minter shells that keep everything in front and require a combination of patience and opportunism.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Kennebunkport, Maine Lobster boats bob in the waves and beachcombers search for shells.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Removing the shells from whole pumpkin seeds can be challenging and time-consuming due to their hard, fibrous shells.
—Johna Burdeos, Health, 19 Sep. 2025
The clip then cuts to reveal a pile of nut shells scattered beneath the seats.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Crispy wonton shells filled with savory spam and fresh toppings.
—Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said law enforcement recovered three shotgun shells, approximately 116 rifle rounds and one live round from a handgun from the scene at Annunciation.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shells
Noun
-
His models could have been downloaded from Zelda, with cargo pants that held axes and sword sheaths remade in fabric.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Gone are the Davos power sheaths and blunt business bob from her time as White House senior adviser.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The project, according to its environmental analysis, will have 7,040 total parking spaces that are spread across multiple structures within residential and mixed-use buildings.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Sep. 2025
-
From a distance, Biosphere 2 emerges from the cacti and creosote of the Sonoran desert like a gleaming oasis, a colony of glass and bright white structures.—
Chris Impey,
The Conversation,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Jordan served as a stand-in for Middle Eastern exteriors during key scenes in the true-crime drama of John Paul Getty III’s kidnapping.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Located at the end of a dirt road and cul-de-sac, the modernist, split-level home had wood-shingle exteriors, huge living room windows, two large decks with bay views and a patio and garden.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even as his car peels away down the street, several kids run after it.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
-
There are many more layers here, which the film gradually peels away to reveal the tragedy at its core.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Remind them their worth is non-negotiable When your child fails — gets cut from the team, bombs a test — remind them their value isn't up for debate.—
Jennifer Breheny Wallace,
CNBC,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Police recovered three fired 9mm cartridge casings and an empty gun holster at the scene.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
22 Sep. 2025
-
While processing the scene, police allegedly recovered three semi-automatic handguns along with 26 shell casings, according to court documents.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The result is a bill that insists on safety frameworks, incident reports, whistleblower protections, and a public compute resource, but stops short of imposing the same sweeping mandates that alarmed lawmakers and industry last year.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Sep. 2025
-
In the book, Buzsáki explores the different frameworks for understanding the brain in neuroscience.—
Kevin Dickinson,
Big Think,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Research on employee retention surfaces the same recurring themes, including growth opportunities, benefits, and recognition.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Need to dust delicate surfaces like lampshades or shelves without scratching?—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shells. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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