SHELTERS Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

shelters 1 of 2

noun

plural of shelter

as in refuges

something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger the sudden fierce storm forced us to run to the nearest shelter

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shelters

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shelter

as in protects

to be or provide a shelter for the abandoned barn shelters a colony of stray cats

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exposes

as in houses

to provide with living quarters or shelter sheltered the troops in tents until permanent barracks could be built

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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 shelters

Noun

Smaller thrift stores may re-donate unsold goods to shelters or other organizations, and items that still can't be reused are taken to specialized recycling centers in an effort to keep as much as possible out of landfills. —

Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026 Animal advocates said Mityana, a trading center in the country, is infamous for its sham dog rescue shelters. —

Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 The first 1,000 dogs were removed earlier this month and are in temporary shelters with agencies partnering with Big Dog Ranch Rescue. —

Scott Bauer, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026 The report found 3,253 people in shelters or transitional housing, up 582 people, or 22%, from 2024. —

Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026 There were 1,519 living in either emergency shelters, transitional housing or safe havens, which is a shelter for veterans. —

Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026 The first 1,000 dogs were removed earlier this month and are in temporary shelters with agencies partnering with Big Dog Ranch Rescue. —

ABC News, 12 May 2026 Few county shelters have kennels, and people sleeping outside are often hesitant to abandon their pets just to sleep in a bed for a few nights. —

Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026 The proposal, introduced by Supervisor Steve Ding, is aimed at reducing pet overpopulation, overcrowded shelters, and rising costs tied to animal care. —

Nina Burns, CBS News, 5 May 2026

Verb

Rain pushes the weeds higher, then shelters them on turf too soft for the machines meant to clip them. —

CBS News, 1 May 2026 To the south of central Pismo Beach is Pismo State Beach and the adjacent Monarch Butterfly Grove, which shelters the migrating monarch butterflies that arrive in the winter. —

Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026 Remove firewood, bricks, boards, tarps, or vegetation up against the house, which shelters insects that provide food for spiders, says Gray. —

Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026 Though Brigitta despises him, Maria shelters him. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026 The roof of his celebrated Restaurant Mestizo, also in the capital city, is supported by huge load-bearing stones from a local quarry; his Pite House, a residence in nearby Papudo, sits nestled on a cliffside that shelters it from prevailing winds. —

Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026 This slime shelters symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. —

Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 Jan. 2026 The organization shelters about 70 dogs and 50 cats, many injured or left without owners by the war. —

Tavleen Tarrant, NBC news, 28 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shelters

Noun

Wildlife refuges and other nature areas protect 40% of Block Island, and residents are renowned for their fierce opposition to anything that might imperil their pristine Atlantic home.

— CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
The park preserves not only the trees, but also one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California.

— Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026