shell 1 of 2

noun

ˈshel How to pronounce shell (audio)
Definition of shellnext
1
as in sheath
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it eating oysters straight out of their shells

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2
as in structure
the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form workers at the shipyard have thus far erected the shell of the ship

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3
as in exterior
an outer part or layer the shell of the building is all glass, making it conspicuous on a street with mostly limestone facades

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shell

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to peel
to remove the natural covering of shelling peanuts

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2
as in to bomb
to use bombs or artillery against the enemy shelled the city for days without letup

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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 shell
Noun
The models ran agents that had access to common exploitation tools, like reverse shells. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 For example, the United States bought 155-millimeter artillery shells from South Korea and PAC-3 interceptors from Japan to backfill American munitions for Ukraine. — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
In a subsequent interview with Russian media, Vishegirskaya said that the hospital had only been shelled, not bombed, and that she had been filmed without her consent. — Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026 Russia also shelled the northern Zhytomyr region, starting fires at an industrial facility and a warehouse, Ukraine’s Emergency Service said. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
  1. sheath
  2. structure
  3. exterior
  4. bark
  5. bomb
  6. casing
  7. framework
  8. surface
Noun
  • It was designed with a column, sheath silhouette, with sequins, thin spaghetti straps and a midlength skirt.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Each Axvant hatchet comes with the leather sheath and five replacement fire-starting rods.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of sheath
Noun
  • These structures provide the optical environment needed to generate the comb signals.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The Drama staged this structure in the process of fracturing.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of structure
Noun
  • Pemberley exteriors and grounds scenes were filmed at Lyme Park, an estate in the Peak District south of Manchester.
    — Nicholas DeRenzo, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The exterior of the building features a large mural of Paul McCartney and John Lennon with their guitars.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of exterior
Verb
  • Both adult residents of the home were alerted to the fire when their dog began barking, helping wake them up, the fire department said.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Mainly looking to drown out a snoring partner, a barking dog or an overactive brain?
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bark
Verb
  • Early that morning, an Argentinean naval tug had been bombed by the British, destroying its communications systems.
    — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Patinkin is the latest star to voice his support for Digger after the film was savaged by many critics and bombed at the box office.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bomb
Noun
  • This uses distinct propellant grains that are arranged sequentially inside the motor casing and separated into two or more independent chambers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The wells needed wider diameters (wider casing) and slickwater fracking, not gelled fluids, to sustain enough pressure to produce ample gas flows.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of casing
Noun
  • But Netanyahu’s government wanted the existing framework kept intact, according to multiple sources who spoke to TIME, including an Israeli official and an international diplomat.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • These are welcome steps, as are the safety frameworks leading labs have published.
    — Giorgos Tsetis, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of framework
Noun
  • For most of human history, our Sun’s occasional tantrums have been of little concern to those of us living on Earth’s surface.
    — Mike McRae October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Pittol’s arepas feature a crisp, mottled surface and a dusky plum hue.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of surface

Phrases Containing shell

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shekels
shell
shellac
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Cite this Entry

“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shell

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shell

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