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
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Recent Examples of shells
Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Scale insects appear as tiny brown shells on plants.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Fackler keeps a collection of shells in a complementary wooden tray to reflect nature indoors.
—Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
In addition to sherpa lining, these jackets feature outer shells made of materials such as denim, cotton duck or even corduroy.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
To address this issue, researchers turned to chitin, a natural polymer found in crustacean shells and fungi.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
While the kids dig in the sand, be sure to cool off with a dip in the water, look for dolphins playing in the waves, and search for shells.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Why not pair a string of shells with a tailored coat?
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025
But a tide of enthusiasm ebbed away, leaving the shells of empty properties behind.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
Distinctive mounds of pretty pink conch shells tower over the waves, piled up over the centuries to create one of Anegada's most important landmarks.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
Scale insects appear as tiny brown shells on plants.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Fackler keeps a collection of shells in a complementary wooden tray to reflect nature indoors.
—Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
In addition to sherpa lining, these jackets feature outer shells made of materials such as denim, cotton duck or even corduroy.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
To address this issue, researchers turned to chitin, a natural polymer found in crustacean shells and fungi.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
While the kids dig in the sand, be sure to cool off with a dip in the water, look for dolphins playing in the waves, and search for shells.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Why not pair a string of shells with a tailored coat?
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025
But a tide of enthusiasm ebbed away, leaving the shells of empty properties behind.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Dec. 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
-
In all, more than 8,000 California wildfires blackened 525,223 acres, killed 31 people and burned 16,512 structures in the past year, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, becoming the third-most destructive fire in state history.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
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
-
Officers allegedly found about 525 shell casings and 13 firearms.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
While defense attorneys argued that the teacher provided the only evidence that the shooter was on the south side of the school, prosecutors said that bullet casings would corroborate their argument.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Because health care has been relatively slow to develop AI governance frameworks, CFOs are increasingly being asked to approve significant investments in technology their organizations may not yet have the internal expertise to evaluate or manage, Freestone said.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In practice, the idea behind Trade The Pool is relatively straightforward - applying institutional-style capital allocation and risk frameworks to individual traders.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Scott says these tones work beautifully across both flooring and wall surfaces, and create seamless, layered interiors that feel grounded and connected to nature.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The latter can be more sensitive to movement and are best suited for shiny surfaces such as glass tables.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shells. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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