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
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
The eastern box turtles, known for the vivid yellow-orange markings on their shells, were bound from the East Coast for Hong Kong and were intercepted in Torrance, prompting the case to be prosecuted in California.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Raw shelled eggs were stored outside of temperature control and were not in the proper temperature range.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shell
Noun
A lot of things have always really celebrated the shell, the man in Black, the stats, the championships, the wins, the success, the whole persona.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
The eastern box turtles, known for the vivid yellow-orange markings on their shells, were bound from the East Coast for Hong Kong and were intercepted in Torrance, prompting the case to be prosecuted in California.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
Chinese journalists have unexpectedly filmed a report with the Ukrainian Armed Forces for the first time – and even took part in shelling Russian positions.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Raw shelled eggs were stored outside of temperature control and were not in the proper temperature range.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
Noun
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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
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Carrion said, referencing the protective plastic sheaths that trading cards are put into.—
Larry Holder,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The community on Northwest Florida’s Panhandle was established in 1995 but has the feel of a much older beach town, modeled on colonial structures in the Dutch West Indies, St. Augustine and New Orleans.—
Nathan Diller,
USA TODAY,
18 Mar. 2025
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Seen from above, the structure is almost shaped like a drinking straw, with a straight section followed by a curved corner.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The exterior features a lightweight mesh lining that’s cooling and breathable, while cushioning within the insole improves the alignment of your feet to help eliminate soreness and discomfort.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2025
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The second floor can be accessed using the exterior staircase.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But Moscow has doubled down on its efforts to peel back Ukraine's control around Sudzha in recent days, the remaining major settlement held by Kyiv in Kursk.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
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During the journey, participants can keep their eyes peeled for a wide variety of avian species spanning from the black-legged kittiwake to the razorbill to the Caspian tern, and to sweeten the deal, the surrounding waters are also brimming with humpback whales from early summer to late fall.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The site was bombed and shelled by the Israel Defense Forces and ...—
Elliott Abrams,
National Review,
6 Mar. 2025
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Seoul, South Korea CNN — South Korean fighter jets accidentally bombed homes during a live-fire drill with US forces, injuring more than a dozen people, Seoul’s military said on Thursday.—
Yoonjung Seo,
CNN,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Knighton says she was shot eight times, not five, based on her injuries, but police only found five casings at the scene.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2025
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The site has been manufacturing the standard Starlink dish, which involves processing raw plastic pellets and aluminum to fashion the hardware’s casing.—
Michael Kan,
PCMAG,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Decentralized ecosystems, governed by consensus protocols rather than a single controlling entity, can challenge this framework.—
Charlyn Ho,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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What’s been your experience in applying this framework to your own life and work?—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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While many surfaces can host biofilms — the plaque on your teeth is a biofilm — plastics appear to provide an especially strong bond that attracts the most prolific bacteria, according to the study.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
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The virus can spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, or a person can contract it by touching an infected surface, according to the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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