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shield

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shield different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shield are defend, guard, protect, and safeguard. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

When might defend be a better fit than shield?

Although the words defend and shield have much in common, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When is it sensible to use guard instead of shield?

The words guard and shield can be used in similar contexts, but guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

When would protect be a good substitute for shield?

The words protect and shield are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

When could safeguard be used to replace shield?

While the synonyms safeguard and shield are close in meaning, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

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 shield
Noun
The reflector shield’s diameter is just less than 32 inches, and the hottest areas are typically within a few feet of the base. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025 Trump sought a court order of the unconstitutionality of Section 230, Big Tech’s favorite legal shield that has historically afforded companies significant legal protection from liability as third-party publishers. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
The nation’s most elite colleges, including the Ivy League, have large endowments, a diverse student body and an advanced pipeline of applicants that largely shield them from sudden shocks. Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025 Look for a stop sign or shield icon. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shield
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield
Noun
  • Welcome to the third iteration of The Athletic’s annual defense ranking tiers.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Subramanian is also weighing a defense motion to have Combs' convictions tossed.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The commission reports the use of the ATMs by scammers, who urge consumers to deposit cash into them to protect their savings, is on the rise.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Their biggest claim to fame, however, is their extensive UVA protection, achieved through advanced filters that are not yet approved stateside but widely used overseas.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Section 230 protection is weaker when platforms actively shape content rather than just hosting it.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • On paper, this is a deep, talented defense that skates well, defends hard, and can move the puck.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Much to the frustration of sleuthing fans, Sherman-Palladino has continued to defend the miniseries’ ending, saying her concern wasn’t with the goings on of any of the aforementioned men.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, the pushback from critics highlights that there is still debate about whether these safeguards go far enough.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • While framed as satire, the content references child exploitation, raising questions about the adequacy of Sora 2’s safeguards.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Although Taylor Swift famously bares her soul in her songwriting, she's historically been guarded about her personal life.
    Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
  • There’s a bar that’s stocked with bourbon, tequila, and moonshine and a couple of porcelain cheetahs guarding a cabinet full of old records.
    Sid Evans, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The juvenile's guardians found two weapons with ammunition and gave them to police.
    Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Now, in addition to poring over manifestos and digital footprints, investigators are using these messages found on ammunition and firearms as clues for intention, as illustrated in the Dallas ICE facility incident when investigators were piecing together a possible motive for the attack.
    Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shield. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shield

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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