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
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
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Highlights of the space are a six-foot oyster artwork made with shells from Louisiana and an oak desk with a large slab of Alabama white marble.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
If that feature catches on, companies will just be makers of rolling shells for tech companies.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Key Takeaways Pumpkin seeds with their shells on contain more fiber than almonds, but almonds have more fiber than shelled pumpkin seeds.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 3 Nov. 2025
Julia calls for two 9-inch unbaked pie shells.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Clam Shell Clam shells target the hip abductors (muscles on the side of the hip) and external rotators (muscles that help the hip joint turn outward).
—Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
Some Native American groups would dry pumpkins’ tough outer shells, cut them into strips and weave them into mats.
—Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 24 Oct. 2025
The water surface holds dust particles and the wings/ shells of bugs that inhabit the building, a sign of the wear and tear in the very space that hosts the work.
—Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
What To Know North Korea also fired 10 artillery shells on Saturday as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Chinese President Xi Jinping in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, Seoul's military said.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Highlights of the space are a six-foot oyster artwork made with shells from Louisiana and an oak desk with a large slab of Alabama white marble.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
If that feature catches on, companies will just be makers of rolling shells for tech companies.
—Patrick George, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Key Takeaways Pumpkin seeds with their shells on contain more fiber than almonds, but almonds have more fiber than shelled pumpkin seeds.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 3 Nov. 2025
Julia calls for two 9-inch unbaked pie shells.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Clam Shell Clam shells target the hip abductors (muscles on the side of the hip) and external rotators (muscles that help the hip joint turn outward).
—Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
Some Native American groups would dry pumpkins’ tough outer shells, cut them into strips and weave them into mats.
—Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 24 Oct. 2025
The water surface holds dust particles and the wings/ shells of bugs that inhabit the building, a sign of the wear and tear in the very space that hosts the work.
—Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shells
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
The regime, still tightly controlled by Kim Jong Un, is likely to maintain existing structures and policies, with Choe Ryong Hae and other confidants continuing to implement the leader's priorities.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Traditional philanthropy, once external to profit structures, now occupies the core of Magnolia Pearl’s identity.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The pilot is almost all exteriors at nighttime, and that means night shoots.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Some exteriors around the studio have also been dressed up for scenes outside the hospital.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 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
-
Ukraine bombs Russian energy infrastructure to defend civilians and destroy the Kremlin war machine.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
This includes stray rounds, shells, or empty casings.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Authorities have said the two groups fired shots at each other outside on the school campus, and police later found 54 shell casings at the scene.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Broader frameworks such as laws and policies can also help attune workplaces and other environments to the needs of people with autism.—
Joshua Anbar,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
And yet the response has been to build ever more reporting frameworks.—
Gus Bartholomew,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Run The Range Hood Hot air and steam carry oil droplets during cooking and deposit them, leaving behind a greasy residue on cabinets, walls, and other surfaces.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Similarly, avoid using steam on moisture-sensitive and heat-sensitive items and surfaces.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shells. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share