as in defenses
means or method of defending
the slightly built boy used his sharp wit as a shield against the school's bullies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from
celebrities who are shielded by a cluster of bodyguards whenever they appear in public
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of shields
Emily Hodgson Anderson, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
The Florida law shields shooting ranges, specifically, from being sued as nuisances.
—Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Fort Worth Zoo To prevent the chick from imprinting on humans, zookeepers used reflective shields, protective clothing and even an adult eagle puppet during feedings to mimic natural conditions and reinforce species-specific behaviors.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Another six dead roaches dotted kitchen area light shields.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
This extreme depth shields the detectors from cosmic rays and other background radiation that could obscure potential dark matter signals.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026
Some are good for taking out enemy hordes, while others focus on lower shields to do more damage.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
Privacy a priority Especially popular among mobile professionals, stick-on privacy shields for smartphones, tablets and laptops can prevent someone beside you (or behind you on an airplane) from seeing your display.
—Marc Saltzman, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Themed collectibles will also be available in honor of the collaboration, with items like Hello Kitty and Friends sticker sets, themed in-game tokens and shields, dice and emojis.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Though China says its energy independence shields it from the worst of the crisis, experts say the knock-on effects could be huge for the world’s second-biggest economy as its largest markets are forced to cut down on Chinese imports.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
His words should prompt reflection on whether our nation’s silence serves justice or merely shields oppression.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
And the service culture, rooted in the Quranic virtue of hospitality, comes with a rare degree of social tolerance for an Islamic country; King Mohammed VI’s support for tourism effectively shields foreigners from harsh religious strictures.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The news comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in a case that could determine whether federal pesticide law shields manufacturers from certain health lawsuits.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Most American traders who use Polymarket access the site through a virtual private network, which shields a user's identity and location.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 1 Mar. 2026
Typically secured with buttons, snaps or zippers, the cover shields the duvet from everyday wear and tear.
—Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The council went on to say the federal agents wearing masks shields them from accountability.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
University policies and book contracts may offer veils of legitimacy and shields from legal liability.
—Emily Hodgson Anderson, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
The Florida law shields shooting ranges, specifically, from being sued as nuisances.
—Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
Fort Worth Zoo To prevent the chick from imprinting on humans, zookeepers used reflective shields, protective clothing and even an adult eagle puppet during feedings to mimic natural conditions and reinforce species-specific behaviors.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Another six dead roaches dotted kitchen area light shields.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
This extreme depth shields the detectors from cosmic rays and other background radiation that could obscure potential dark matter signals.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026
Some are good for taking out enemy hordes, while others focus on lower shields to do more damage.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
Privacy a priority Especially popular among mobile professionals, stick-on privacy shields for smartphones, tablets and laptops can prevent someone beside you (or behind you on an airplane) from seeing your display.
—Marc Saltzman, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Themed collectibles will also be available in honor of the collaboration, with items like Hello Kitty and Friends sticker sets, themed in-game tokens and shields, dice and emojis.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
Not the good, high-altitude ozone that shields us from dangerous UV light, but bad ozone, hovering right above ground level — stinking, brownish, grayish photochemical smog.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Though China says its energy independence shields it from the worst of the crisis, experts say the knock-on effects could be huge for the world’s second-biggest economy as its largest markets are forced to cut down on Chinese imports.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
His words should prompt reflection on whether our nation’s silence serves justice or merely shields oppression.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
And the service culture, rooted in the Quranic virtue of hospitality, comes with a rare degree of social tolerance for an Islamic country; King Mohammed VI’s support for tourism effectively shields foreigners from harsh religious strictures.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The news comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in a case that could determine whether federal pesticide law shields manufacturers from certain health lawsuits.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Most American traders who use Polymarket access the site through a virtual private network, which shields a user's identity and location.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 1 Mar. 2026
Typically secured with buttons, snaps or zippers, the cover shields the duvet from everyday wear and tear.
—Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
The council went on to say the federal agents wearing masks shields them from accountability.
—Eric Henderson, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shields
Noun
-
Tehran has also been moving troops and air defenses to Kharg Island in preparation for a possible US operation to take control of it, according to people familiar with US intelligence reporting.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Even as air raid sirens blared at least four times throughout this morning in central Israel, the country’s military insisted that its air defenses remain formidable and that the waves of Iranian missile attacks are growing less effective.—
Rebecca Shabad,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Proponents say the bill addresses a shortage of foster homes in Missouri and protects religious freedom.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
If someone pushes you to rush, keep your tone measured and propose a reasonable deadline that protects quality and keeps expectations aligned.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The district covers much of the Texas-Mexico border.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
You're also given a 5-year limited warranty that covers you in case something happens to it.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Also, there are a number of safeguards to prevent fraud and ensure an accurate count.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
And a cohort of American consumers, siding with the plaintiff, determined that the platforms are defective products, distributed to the public without proper safeguards or warnings about their potential harms.—
Maggie Harrison Dupré,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutor defends plea agreement Two men accused of firing shots after the 2024 Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally are still awaiting trial.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Cronin defends sideline intensity Sunday’s matchup is one of those that could have an alternate broadcast with cameras locked on both coaching boxes.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Jordan said the surveillance program has changed significantly in recent years to add more guardrails for Fourth Amendment protections, citing dozens of reforms enacted by Congress.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that prohibits cities and counties from creating their own heat exposure protections for outdoor workers—a move critics say limits local efforts to address extreme working conditions.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dilley faces mounting scrutiny from immigration lawyers and advocates, who say children have struggled emotionally and physically in an environment where lights remain on around the clock and guards patrol.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Sophomore guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell, both sophomores, emerged as reliable college rotation players in 2025-26.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Drawing at least in part on information from Chalker’s defectors, the Pentagon constructed life-size underground facsimiles of Iranian nuclear facilities where the scientists had worked, attempting to duplicate even the thickness of the walls.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
There are even artworks from local Canadian artists on the walls for additional regional flair.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shields.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shields. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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