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
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Recent Examples of shell
Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The interior buildout was $5.7 million, not including the cost of knocking out the wall and building the exterior shell.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Five people were killed and 12 injured due to shelling in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian emergency officials.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shell
Noun
This suspenseful, charming tale begins in Yorkshire in 1926, when young Celie Sheppard daringly plucks a guillemot egg — coveted by collectors for their unusual shape and gorgeous, unique shell designs — from the side of a cliff.
—Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The interior buildout was $5.7 million, not including the cost of knocking out the wall and building the exterior shell.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
Over the course of just two days in February, 21 children were reported killed and 29 children maimed by shelling in Kadugli, South Kordofan State.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Five people were killed and 12 injured due to shelling in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian emergency officials.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
Noun
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Remove the leaves and sheaths, place the samples in a paper bag, and immediately send the samples to a laboratory for CSNT testing.—
Dr. Haiying Tao,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2025
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Investigators identified him as a suspect, in part, after comparing the DNA profile on the knife sheath to those filed in consumer databases and building a family tree.—
Mike Baker,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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So your suggestions were about altering the structure of the show?—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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Wander down a spiral staircase and through to the imposing central courtyard of the building, and an unusual structure sat pride of place: an installation of the legendary French designer Charlotte Perriand’s La Maison au Bord de l’Eau.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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By Bryan Hood Audi Photo : Audi Photo : Audi The exterior Photo : Audi The exterior Photo : Audi The interior Photo : Audi The interior Photo : Audi The exterior Photo : Audi The exterior Bryan Hood Senior Staff Writer Bryan Hood is a digital staff writer at Robb Report.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2025
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So, there's lots of work to do here on the exterior of the home.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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There’s so many things to get wrong, from hard-boiling them without getting a green ring to peeling them without ripping out chunks of egg white.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
29 Mar. 2025
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The painstaking work has been underway for more than 24 hours, peeling back layers of debris in the hope of finding any of the dozens believed to be trapped underneath.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Khamenei had warned the U.S. would face strong retaliation if Trump followed through on his threat to bomb Iran.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
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The posture shift came as Trump threatened to bomb Iran if the country does not strike a deal over its nuclear weapons capabilities.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Jurors were told during the trial of shell casings found at the murder scene that matched the weapon used in other crimes.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
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Its ground radar system, though unable to detect bones, had sighted what looked like bullet casings and the evidence of disturbed earth.—
Malcolm Hillgartner Tanya Pérez Lance Neal,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is not a reflection of ineffective teaching, but of an evaluation framework that penalizes educators for the systemic challenges their students face.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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Working within the framework of the show gave us a kind of sandbox to play in.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
She is seen barking as the humpback whale turns its head toward her, then briefly comes to the surface for air.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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In 2026, the five-year surface transportation grant program is up for renewal, so that will be a factor as well as any routine hiccups for a change in administration.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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