SHELLS Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

shells 1 of 2

noun

Definition of shells next

plural of shell

as in sheaths

something that encloses another thing especially to protect it eating oysters straight out of their shells

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shells

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shell

as in peels

to remove the natural covering of shelling peanuts

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as in bombs

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 shells

Noun

Precision missiles, artillery shells, drones, and air defense missiles are usually expended much faster than initially anticipated. —

Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026 Although artillery shells cannot be described as weapons of the future, the war in Ukraine has shown the value of keeping them around. —

Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026 Nightcrawlers thrive on organic food scraps such as coffee grounds, crushed egg shells, potato peels, and other veggie scraps. —

Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026 Vast investments in cutting edge platforms to fight in the air and at sea have come at the expense of the American ability to produce artillery shells for Ukrainian allies. —

Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026 The cannoli shells are shipped in from a vendor in New Jersey and are filled to order with a classic Sicilian-style cream with a subtle hint of orange zest and just the right amount of sweetness. —

Jamie, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026 Recognizable by their strong pharyngeal teeth used to crush mollusc shells, black carps can significantly impact local ecosystems by feeding on mussels and snails, and competing with other native benthic fishes like smallmouth buffalo. —

Cheyenne Derksen, Oklahoman, 18 Mar. 2026 Working one at a time, gently crack all over, then peel, starting from fat end with air pocket; discard shells. —

Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026 First, Jie extracted chitin nanofibers from crab shells obtained from food waste that are chemically the same as those found in the white beetles. —

J. Carson Meredith, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 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

These white threads are cloaked in sheaths of chitin — the same sugar polymer that forms the tough exoskeletons of beetles, crabs, and lobsters — and can be easily grown in flasks and Petri dishes.

— Big Think, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Production quirks like volume and pitch changes, multiple beat switches, brash sonic redirections punctuated by everything from samples of glass shattering to synth stabs puncturing through sheaths of filters, make for a kind of chaotic symphony that feels deliriously of the moment.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026