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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
For years, Israel grew accustomed to the shield of its Iron Dome short-range air defense system, which intercepted thousands of rockets from Gaza with a sterling record. Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 26 June 2025 In Israel, people have taken shelter in stairwells and bomb shelters, and are coping with Tehran’s ability to penetrate the country’s sophisticated defense shield. Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 18 June 2025
Verb
Biden's changes also shield transgender students from discrimination. Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Additionally, the law will shield developers from the costly lawsuits routinely brought against anyone who has a mind to build something in the Golden State. The Editors, National Review, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for shield
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield
Noun
  • Clarence Darrow, a celebrated defense attorney, represented Scopes.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 July 2025
  • Prior to Monday night’s game, Cora talked about the team’s improved base running and strong defense being keys to their latest success.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Today the act protects more than 2,300 plant and animal species in the US and abroad.
    Christine Peterson, Wired News, 5 July 2025
  • The show, based on a novella by the author Martha Wells, follows a snarky private-security cyborg (played by Alexander Skarsgård) assigned to protect a group of scientists investigating a mostly uncharted planet.
    Emma Stefansky, The Atlantic, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Employees’ health insurance must cover fertility treatments Senate Bill 729 requires employers with 100 or more employees to offer health insurance to cover infertility diagnosis and fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization.
    Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
  • Aligning Operational Goals With Strategic Objectives A corporate scorecard can help organizations ensure their goals cover four perspectives: financial, customer, operations/internal processes and people.
    Joseph Longo, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Jones and Vega were not the first to allege conflicts of interests, protection and a cover-up.
    Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025
  • This charming pagoda-style umbrella offers UPF 50 protection for scorching summer days, is easily adjustable, and even tilts.
    Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Thanks to the oceans on either side of us, the frozen wasteland to the north, and a gentle behemoth to the south, no one thought much about having to defend our borders.
    Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
  • The medium-to-long-range layer, David’s Sling, has replaced Patriot batteries supplied by the United States, defending against both aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles using a missile called Stunner.
    Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • As an extra safeguard against fridge odors, place an open box of baking soda in the back corner of the refrigerator’s top shelf.
    Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
  • In my experience building AML and RegTech software, pairing advanced technological safeguards with regular training and clear policies creates a resilient defense.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Healthcare providers use it to guard sensitive patient data and meet strict compliance standards.
    Bhupendra Singh, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Chen finished with a career-high 10 points and drew the assignment of guarding Ariel Atkins, the Sky’s leading scorer in the fourth quarter.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Detonating Everything In fact, the Russians might be said to have originated the tactic of using small drones to bring the detonator with their series of sabotage attacks against Ukrainian ammunition depots in 2017.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Ukraine is completely out of ammunition for its two vital missile defense SAMP/T batteries, the Franco-Italian version of the U.S. Patriot missile defense system, according to sources speaking with Le Monde late last month.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shield. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shield

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