1
as in sheath
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it
eating oysters straight out of their shells
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shell
Seamus Bozeman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Meanwhile, the infrared components illustrate the explosion’s growing shell filled with cosmic dust.
—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
2 July 2026
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Enemy shelled battery position at 1815, causing casualties.
—
Kevin Maurer,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shell
Noun
Many partygoers escaped the explosion when the shells hit the table with the unspent explosives, but the 8-year-old did not, according to the news release.
—
Seamus Bozeman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
Meanwhile, the infrared components illustrate the explosion’s growing shell filled with cosmic dust.
—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
2 July 2026
Verb
Smith was shelled Saturday, allowing eight runs in 4 1/3 innings for Triple-A Charlotte.
—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
Enemy shelled battery position at 1815, causing casualties.
—
Kevin Maurer,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
Noun
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During his burial, an iron sword in a leather sheath was placed across his chest, with a spear next to him.
-
Michelle revealed her midi-length sheath dress had an unexpected optical illusion detail at the bottom.
Noun
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Days before the five-year anniversary of the 2021 building collapse that killed 98 people in Surfside, the federal government has published findings that determined the structure of the Champlain Towers South condominium started failing about three weeks before the catastrophe.
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Strong winds struck an outdoor section of the venue, causing the structure to partially collapse.
Noun
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One of the most distinguishing features of the new planes are the colors painted on its exterior.
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The exteriors of the Slate vehicles won't be painted.
Verb
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Zoom, Teams, and AirPods strip out the dog barking or the café behind you.
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So Max Muncy, Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas took their typical spots in the Los Angeles Dodgers infield and barked out situations ahead of the team’s 50th win of the season.
Verb
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After easing through the first three innings, Bryan Reynolds hit a double off the top of the left field fence and Valdez bombed one to left to cut the Phillies' lead to 5-2.
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There is a bond there that is strong enough, that overwhelming loneliness is bombed.
Noun
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At least six shell casings were recovered from the scene of the shooting, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson Eliza Durham.
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During the investigation, shell casings found at the scene were later compared to a firearm Craig admitted belonged to him, the release said.
Noun
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Instead of doubling down on a flawed system, policymakers can make gradual changes by introducing new tax categories in the existing framework and imposing taxes that correspond to the alcoholic content of that category.
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In this framework, Argentina’s FIFA ranking strength and bracket path produce a higher championship probability than the markets assign.
Noun
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The Sonic at 4025 Mapleshade Lane was found to have liquid leaking from the ceiling onto the cooking surfaces.
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But now, at an outcrop on the edge of an ancient river channel named Neretva Vallis, Perseverance detected complex macromolecular carbon sitting right on the rock’s surface.
Cite this Entry
“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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