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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
This model offers a highly durable polyester construction with a thermal shield plus UV protection. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 May 2025 Why does the United States need a missile shield? Several countries, including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, have been developing missiles over the past few years that challenge the United States’ current missile defense systems. Iain Boyd, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
Verb
When police arrived, Foy grabbed a pedestrian and attempted to shield himself. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 May 2025 In 2022, lawmakers made those searches largely opaque by shielding finalists’ names from public view until 21 days before a hire is made. Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shield
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield
Noun
  • Indiana was also overhauling its defense, learning how to execute simpler yet more aggressive schemes with personnel better suited to defend than the team the Pacers put on the floor in 2023-24 — a team that, yes, made the Eastern Conference finals despite its defensive struggles.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • In the face of nature’s power, preparation remains our most effective and enduring defense.
    Jim Foerster, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • While these fears may be well-founded, our response should not be to reject crypto altogether, but rather embrace thoughtful policies to mitigate risks, protect consumers, and promote transparency.
    Jeremy Cooney, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
  • Californians should urge Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff to protect this vital lifeline.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Its 138 portfolio companies cover a couple dozen industries, including healthcare/pharmaceuticals, software, consumer services, and business services.
    Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • Remember, a tent offers no protection from lighting.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2025
  • Evolving Threats The rise of generative AI complicates these protections further.
    Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 2 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
  • This controversial practice— likened to razing a forest just to catch a few birds— tears up fragile seafloor habitats, indiscriminately kills marine organisms, releases carbon stored in ocean sediment, and undermines the very ecosystems these protections were designed to defend.
    Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • Yet operators are still cautious, and for good reason; giving an AI system too much autonomy without safeguards can lead to unexpected or unwanted results.
    Stephen Farrugia, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Privacy and security Apple has implemented several safeguards to ensure your privacy and security while using this feature.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Seeing rookies such as defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the first-round pick, and guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the second-round pick, out there running around with life-giving joy and their sky-high potential was refreshing.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025
  • Instead of distributing food to sites in Gaza where people are starving, the new group will operate in only four new zones with Israeli soldiers guarding the perimeters, NPR's Daniel Estrin reports.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 May 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 11 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shield

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