1
as in sheaths
something that encloses another thing especially to protect it
eating oysters straight out of their shells
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in structures
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 exteriors
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shells
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Six eggs with broken shells got hit with Stop Sales.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
From the north and from the island’s southern highpoint, 550-foot Mount Suribachi, shells and small arms fire rained on the Marines, the Courant reported.
—Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
Penne, fusilli, or shells would also be good choices.
—Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
Come sunset, however, everyone makes their way to Shell Beach, famous for its millions of thumbnail-size shells.
—Molly Barstein, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
Break clean shells into small pieces.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
According to Rosario, the cartels are already presenting themselves as suppliers and formal businesses, with some even buying the disposable shells direct from Asian manufacturers to fill themselves.
—María Verza, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
In fact, materials scientists have demonstrated this armor to be stronger than the shells of most other mollusks, and even structurally complex in ways that rival advanced synthetic composites.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
The third and final is chitosan, which is created from the shells of crustaceans and insects.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026
Six eggs with broken shells got hit with Stop Sales.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
From the north and from the island’s southern highpoint, 550-foot Mount Suribachi, shells and small arms fire rained on the Marines, the Courant reported.
—Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
Penne, fusilli, or shells would also be good choices.
—Martha Stewart, 5 Feb. 2026
Come sunset, however, everyone makes their way to Shell Beach, famous for its millions of thumbnail-size shells.
—Molly Barstein, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026
Break clean shells into small pieces.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 1 Feb. 2026
According to Rosario, the cartels are already presenting themselves as suppliers and formal businesses, with some even buying the disposable shells direct from Asian manufacturers to fill themselves.
—María Verza, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
In fact, materials scientists have demonstrated this armor to be stronger than the shells of most other mollusks, and even structurally complex in ways that rival advanced synthetic composites.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
During the drive, a tank shells the car, killing most of the occupants.
—E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shells
Noun
-
Nuts and fatty fishes, like salmon and sardines, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for building the insulating sheaths that surround the nerve fibers that carry information from one brain cell to another.—
Dana G. Smith,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Taylor, then with her fourth husband Richard Burton, wanted to ditch her formal '50s style of long skirts and tasteful sheaths.—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Bonaire Resort-style Cabin Kit Robin Pekkala, an Allwood Outlet brand representative, told Travel + Leisure to think of the structures as additional space outside of your home that can be transformed into a guest cottage, pool house, art studio, yoga room, home office space, or even a music studio.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Laguna Beach city leaders are mulling a proposal that would ban large pop-up shade structures on the sand to protect the safety of beachgoers.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The new Ceccarelli 40 was developed in partnership with Francesco Paszkowski Design, with Sebastian Martinez spearheading the exteriors, Names Studio executing naval architecture, and Margherita Casprini working on interiors.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
2 Feb. 2026
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These shoes are specifically designed for inclement weather (winter slush included), and the waterproof Goretex exteriors will keep you warm and dry even if your next travel destination just received a truckload of snow.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Low tides offer a look as the ocean peels back to give people a glimpse at the critters and plant life usually underwater.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Though the show peels back a layer or two in every episode, Barrera’s character remains a bit of a cipher.—
Sofía Tafich,
Vogue,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Page Six gets a Hollywood edition Papps declined last week to reveal what stories his reporters were chasing and what bombs the political columnists will throw in its first editions.—
Christopher Weber,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
If Venezuela and its region instead spiral into chaos and suffering, Trump will merely look like a bully, a president who cowers when facing the mighty — in Moscow or Beijing, say — but bombs those who can’t return fire, whether in Nigeria, Yemen or Venezuela.—
Andreas Kluth,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Officers found multiple shell casings at the scene.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
There were no cartridge casings or blood outside.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under the frameworks announced, RTX will increase annual production of Tomahawks to more than 1,000, AMRAAMs to at least 1,900, and SM-6 to more than 500.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
-
For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The leather of both has softened with age, but there are no cracks in their surfaces, the insulation is still lofty enough for thermal efficiency, and neither the Give’r nor the Kinco’s extended cuffs have stretched beyond normal wear.—
Maggie Slepian,
Outside,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Its triangular legs are designed to stay secure on grass and pebbly surfaces.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shells. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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