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shield

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word shield different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of shield are defend, guard, protect, and safeguard. While all these words mean "to keep secure from danger or against attack," shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack.

shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

When might defend be a better fit than shield?

Although the words defend and shield have much in common, defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

defend the country

When is it sensible to use guard instead of shield?

The words guard and shield can be used in similar contexts, but guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger.

White House entrances are well guarded

When would protect be a good substitute for shield?

The words protect and shield are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

a hard hat to protect your head

When could safeguard be used to replace shield?

While the synonyms safeguard and shield are close in meaning, safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger.

our civil liberties must be safeguarded

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 shield
Noun
Woody Guthrie knew that music could be … an uplifting, unifying, transcendent thing; a defensive shield, and a weapon for change. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025 Bielema was coaching the punt shield phase of the Badgers special teams unit and was ready to make a bold call. Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
The Department of Defense has deployed around 700 Marines to the City of Angels to help shield federal buildings and officials. Filip Timotija, The Hill, 10 June 2025 If reaching a safe shelter is not possible, either crouch down in your car and shield your head, or leave your vehicle and find shelter in a ditch or ravine. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for shield
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield
Noun
  • Although the maximum sentence for smuggling one person is 10 years and Abrego Garcia is accused of transporting hundreds of people over nearly a decade, his defense attorneys point out there's no minimum sentence.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
  • But his 4th quarter rebounding and on-ball defense was superb!
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • The Marines are tasked with protecting federal facilities and personnel, according to a statement from U.S. Northern Command, and will operate under Task Force 51—a contingency unit created to coordinate military support for domestic emergencies.
    Nik Popli, Time, 11 June 2025
  • Here’s a thought: Several big-time football schools have abandoned open spring football games, which used to be a sizable event attracting fans and alums to campus, to protect players from being scouted and poached in the transfer portal.
    Russell Dinkins, Sportico.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • However, with a shift in place on the left-handed hitter, third baseman Junior Caminero covered second.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
  • Assigned to cover the Pentagon for the conservative outlet One America News Network, Gabrielle Cuccia didn't pretend to be an unbiased reporter.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • The other is to gain antitrust protection through collective bargaining with unionized athletes as employees, which the NCAA has continually resisted.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025
  • Just remember, tents do not offer protection from lightning.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Alex Caruso, one of the team’s veterans, was a bench guy, until he was tasked with defending Nikola Jokić during the Thunder’s series against the Denver Nuggets, and did about as good a job as anyone has ever done of shutting Jokić down.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • In 1958, President Eisenhower invoked the Insurrection Act to deploy troops to Arkansas to enforce the Supreme Court’s decision ending racial segregation in schools, and to defend Black students against a violent mob.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • These are signs that AI is becoming an emotional and social tool for vulnerable children without corresponding safeguards or oversight.
    Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Although 27 states have adopted legislation that bans discrimination based on natural textures and protective styles like braids, locs, and twists, there’s still no federal safeguard.
    Sophie Meharenna, Allure, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Then guard Courtney Vandersloot drove up the court after a Fever turnover, lunged toward the basket with the ball in her hands and crashed directly into Aari McDonald.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
  • The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started distributing food boxes on May 26 at three hubs guarded by private contractors inside Israeli military zones.
    Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • The majority also overturned William’s convictions for possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition, saying the convictions amounted to violation of the Constitution’s double jeopardy prohibition because he was effectively charged twice for the same crime.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2025
  • Spurred on by their own security concerns, European allies and Canada have already been ramping up military spending, including arms and ammunition purchases, since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
    Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shield. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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