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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shields
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Even the combative Venezuela of eight years ago, where kids with homemade shields assembled in the streets day after day to battle the dictatorship’s goons, is a fading memory.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
The Cybertrucks are each equipped with shotguns, shields, and ladders — signaling a move toward modernization in policing.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
With a guard dog nearby, the soldiers then pushed the detainee against a wall before the whole group surrounded themselves with shields presumably to block the view of security cameras.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
Observers suggest that the test increases pressure on the United States and NATO to reconsider current policies and adapt to the introduction of underwater nuclear drones capable of evading ballistic missile shields.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
While effective, Whipple shields are heavy, costly, and prone to fragmentation on impact, ironically adding more debris to the environment they’re meant to protect.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The tree’s hardwood is excellent for fuel, boomerangs, clubs, and shields.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Just three days in and these XL-sized shields are thick as thieves, which doesn’t seem threatening to anyone whose name isn’t Annie.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
One where exhaust and propellant residues react with ozone, thinning the layer that shields life below.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
With help from melon antioxidants, peptides, and SPF, the hydrating product shields your skin from harmful rays while also minimizing fine lines.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
The magnetosphere shields us from the Sun’s solar wind and solar storms, acting like a force field to keep living things safe from the energetic particles released by the Sun.
—Samuel Badman, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
This pledge erases dissenting Israeli voices, legitimizes falsehoods, and shields Hamas from blame.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Instead of protecting a brain, the system shields the drone’s electronic components, motor, and propeller.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Demerzel shields the embryo with her body, and both are incinerated, vanishing in a white-hot instant, love and code consumed together.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
This consistency, Nassau argues, shields founders from the reputational hit of a prior lead refusing to participate in follow-ons.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
For Dimon, bureaucracy is a reflex that creeps into any large institution and shields leaders from reality.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Even the combative Venezuela of eight years ago, where kids with homemade shields assembled in the streets day after day to battle the dictatorship’s goons, is a fading memory.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
The Cybertrucks are each equipped with shotguns, shields, and ladders — signaling a move toward modernization in policing.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
With a guard dog nearby, the soldiers then pushed the detainee against a wall before the whole group surrounded themselves with shields presumably to block the view of security cameras.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 4 Nov. 2025
Observers suggest that the test increases pressure on the United States and NATO to reconsider current policies and adapt to the introduction of underwater nuclear drones capable of evading ballistic missile shields.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
While effective, Whipple shields are heavy, costly, and prone to fragmentation on impact, ironically adding more debris to the environment they’re meant to protect.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The tree’s hardwood is excellent for fuel, boomerangs, clubs, and shields.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Just three days in and these XL-sized shields are thick as thieves, which doesn’t seem threatening to anyone whose name isn’t Annie.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
But even incremental progress would mark a break from a status quo that shields the powerful while leaving the rest behind.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
One where exhaust and propellant residues react with ozone, thinning the layer that shields life below.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
With help from melon antioxidants, peptides, and SPF, the hydrating product shields your skin from harmful rays while also minimizing fine lines.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
The magnetosphere shields us from the Sun’s solar wind and solar storms, acting like a force field to keep living things safe from the energetic particles released by the Sun.
—Samuel Badman, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025
This pledge erases dissenting Israeli voices, legitimizes falsehoods, and shields Hamas from blame.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Instead of protecting a brain, the system shields the drone’s electronic components, motor, and propeller.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Demerzel shields the embryo with her body, and both are incinerated, vanishing in a white-hot instant, love and code consumed together.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
This consistency, Nassau argues, shields founders from the reputational hit of a prior lead refusing to participate in follow-ons.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shields
Noun
-
Still, the Seahawks will be that much more difficult to stop now that opposing defenses have another legit pass-catching threat to account for.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife can all quickly become collateral damage, as outdoor pest control gradually breaks down their natural defenses.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
These comments are important because our government must place premium in creating a society that respects human lives, secures its borders and protects its citizens.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Spent foliage over the winter also protects the roots against cold.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Cristina LaRue covers agriculture for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The Grand Ceremony, including the red carpet and presentation of the major categories, will be held that evening at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, while the Premiere Ceremony, which covers additional categories, will take place earlier that day at TOKYO DREAM PARK.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But the lawsuits argue these safeguards failed.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Shamblin’s parents are now suing OpenAI – ChatGPT’s creator – alleging the tech giant put his life in danger by tweaking its design last year to be more humanlike and by failing to put enough safeguards on interactions with users in need of emergency help.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Today, almost no American politician, Democrat or Republican, defends the World Trade Organization.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Gina Knapp defends District 5 Gina Knapp will remain on the Blue Valley School Board after defending her seat from two challengers, including a Blue Valley parent who launched a last-minute write-in campaign.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Bears were once hunted so much in Japan that their population dropped precipitously – but environmental protections were introduced in the 1990s, allowing the bear population to recover.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
However, many legal analysts believe the justices will not overturn the precedent, and some additional legal protections for same-sex married couples were passed into federal law in 2022.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Kings guards Russell Westbrook and Zach LaVine and forward DeMar DeRozan were quick to come to Sabonis’ aid, stepping between the two players before the situation escalated.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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According to a team press release, Utah has cut floor-stretching center Mo Bamba plus guards Pedro Bradshaw and Sean East II, just days prior to the start of Utah's season.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The area increased to 80% by 2018, according to state media, after numerous buildings and city walls were restored, and 135 temporary structures inside the compound were torn down.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Some critics called for more editorial discipline in the film, or found Lawrence’s onscreen spin cycle of anguish, which involves literally clawing her way up walls or flinging herself through glass doors, to be repetitive.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shields.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shields. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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