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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Here is what may be next for Israel and Gaza
In Gaza, witnesses contacted by the Reuters news agency said Israeli tanks shelled areas in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, forcing many families who had returned after the ceasefire to leave their homes and head northward to Khan Younis.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 18 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
Kyiv has denied the claim and said Russian forces shelled the station.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Here is what may be next for Israel and Gaza
In Gaza, witnesses contacted by the Reuters news agency said Israeli tanks shelled areas in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, forcing many families who had returned after the ceasefire to leave their homes and head northward to Khan Younis.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shell
Noun
-
Other zesters may come equipped with a protective sheath or covering to keep them sharp and secure.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2025
-
The 30-year-old was allegedly linked to the crime scene by DNA recovered from a knife sheath and cell phone pings, per the affidavit.—
Nicole Acosta,
People.com,
17 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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The structure of the film prior to its (literally) more explosive moments brings revelations that Mendoza and Garland unfold by degrees.—
Fred Schruers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Trending Video 3 Interior Designers Transform The Same Galley Kitchen The stainless steel exterior is smudge-resistant and minimalist, with hidden pocket handles.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
11 Apr. 2025
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Additional Tips to Keep Your Hummingbird Feeder at Its Best Use a funnel to fill the feeder to avoid drips and spills on the exterior.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But Lewandowski is about to peel away to the far post, opening up space for Torres to run to the near post.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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Once the eggs are peeled, the sulfur smell spreads more quickly.—
Halee Miller Van Ryswyk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh bombed a federal building, killing 167 people and injuring 684.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Israel has bombed, besieged and raided them, some several times, while accusing Hamas of using them as cover for its fighters.—
Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Five shell casings were collected from the scene near the camera, which is valued at more than $5,000.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2025
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The kids reported seeing a silver Toyota Tacoma at a campsite in the area at about 10 p.m., and sheriff’s deputies later found 10mm shell casings at Bradbury Flat and a 10mm handgun in Caton’s home.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What inspired you to use Trevisani as a framework for your story?—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2025
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The Trump administration has outlined a two-month framework to reach a deal with Iran, John Hannah, a senior fellow at JINSA, said during a briefing about Iran’s nuclear weapons program Thursday.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The gardener starts by placing unwaxed brown cardboard on the soil surface without digging to remove weeds or grass underneath.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
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On the surface, Barca’s 4-0 victory seemed like a lopsided affair in terms of the scoreline and the xG tallies (3.51 to 1.13).—
Brett Koremenos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shell. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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