as in defenses
means or method of defending the slightly built boy used his sharp wit as a shield against the school's bullies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from celebrities who are shielded by a cluster of bodyguards whenever they appear in public
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 shields
Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026 The midnight purple color-shifting material was designed to replicate the iridescence of a raven's feathers, which is woven across the jerseys, including the number set and shields on each sleeve. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 The officers were stripped of their guns and shields and are being put on desk duty for the duration of the investigation, Tisch said. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026 According to the group, reporters were beaten with riot shields, pepper sprayed and robbed of equipment. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026 Some protesters wearing shields and gas masks on the other side of a fence at the federal complex picked up the canisters and tossed them back at police. —City News Service, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026 Opening Day festivities in Cincinnati ended with a series of disturbances Thursday evening that prompted police armed with nonlethal shotguns, pepper spray and riot shields to shut down The Banks and send hundreds of revelers home early. —David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026 Petals are gone or reduced to scalelike shields. —David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026 University policies and book contracts may offer veils of legitimacy and shields from legal liability. —Emily Hodgson Anderson, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026 Worse, when half the world shields consumers from higher energy prices, the remaining half absorbs all the demand adjustment. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026 Federal law generally shields these payments from garnishment by private creditors like credit card companies or medical debt collectors. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 The Wegovy pill has a special ingredient that shields it from some erosion, but people must still take it on an empty stomach to ensure it’s properly absorbed. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026 Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act typically shields them from liability for content posted by users. —Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026 The verdict was a big deal, showing how plaintiffs’ attorneys can sidestep Section 230, which shields platforms from liability for what users post. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026 Not the good, high-altitude ozone that shields us from dangerous UV light, but bad ozone, hovering right above ground level — stinking, brownish, grayish photochemical smog. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 His words should prompt reflection on whether our nation’s silence serves justice or merely shields oppression. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
The tour ends at the Scar Trees, which are a group of trees that had their bark removed by Aboriginal Peoples for various purposes, including crafting items like canoes or shields. —Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026 The midnight purple color-shifting material was designed to replicate the iridescence of a raven's feathers, which is woven across the jerseys, including the number set and shields on each sleeve. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 The officers were stripped of their guns and shields and are being put on desk duty for the duration of the investigation, Tisch said. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026 According to the group, reporters were beaten with riot shields, pepper sprayed and robbed of equipment. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026 Some protesters wearing shields and gas masks on the other side of a fence at the federal complex picked up the canisters and tossed them back at police. —City News Service, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026 Opening Day festivities in Cincinnati ended with a series of disturbances Thursday evening that prompted police armed with nonlethal shotguns, pepper spray and riot shields to shut down The Banks and send hundreds of revelers home early. —David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026 Petals are gone or reduced to scalelike shields. —David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026 University policies and book contracts may offer veils of legitimacy and shields from legal liability. —Emily Hodgson Anderson, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Owen Wilson shields himself under a hat as the actor touches down at the Lorne Los Angeles special screening on April 14. —Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026 Worse, when half the world shields consumers from higher energy prices, the remaining half absorbs all the demand adjustment. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026 Federal law generally shields these payments from garnishment by private creditors like credit card companies or medical debt collectors. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 The Wegovy pill has a special ingredient that shields it from some erosion, but people must still take it on an empty stomach to ensure it’s properly absorbed. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026 Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act typically shields them from liability for content posted by users. —Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026 The verdict was a big deal, showing how plaintiffs’ attorneys can sidestep Section 230, which shields platforms from liability for what users post. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026 Not the good, high-altitude ozone that shields us from dangerous UV light, but bad ozone, hovering right above ground level — stinking, brownish, grayish photochemical smog. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 His words should prompt reflection on whether our nation’s silence serves justice or merely shields oppression. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shields
Noun
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That is why the federal government and World Cup host cities are investing hundreds of millions in drone defenses ahead of those games.— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
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The commitments came as Kyiv warned of escalating Russian bombardments and urgently pressed for more air defenses.— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The First Amendment protects the press precisely because a free press protects democracy.— Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 19 Apr. 2026
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But unionized workers aren’t the only ones Gloria protects.— U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The route covers three to six miles on the west side of the park—passing by Big Bear Spire, Secret Passage, and Cool Cave—and it’s described as easy to moderate.— Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2026
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The hotel also charges a $25 taxable amenity fee per night, which covers in-room Wi-Fi, cultural workshops and classes, live local music, use of hotel bikes and stand-up paddleboards, self-parking, and access to the hotel’s fitness room and pool.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In recent months, Anthropic has seen strong momentum for its AI coding offerings as well as growing traction with consumers amid a standoff with the Pentagon over AI safeguards.— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
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Camie Hubbard lives on Craftmont Avenue in Pittsburgh and claims a mitigation contractor hired by their insurance company tore into their home without proper testing or safeguards in place, exposing them to contaminants like lead and asbestos.— Erika Stanish, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Matriarchy is a force that protects and defends, a force blunted and downgraded at every turn.— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
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This support among white Christian voters has held since the 2024 election, with two-thirds of white evangelicals saying Trump defends people with religious beliefs similar to theirs, according to a Pew poll released Thursday.— Sarah Davis, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The District Attorneys Council approached some lawmakers earlier this year, concerned that legislators would look at their immunity next, and Raynes acknowledged that his group was generally worried about their protections.— Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
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Uploading patient records to AI bots Some health systems have adopted AI chatbots to improve patient care, promising doctors safety and privacy protections.— Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The water-resistant outer material guards your essentials against splashes, while elastic straps and multiple pockets help keep your bottles upright.— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
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In 2019, the height of the rebuild, the Dolphins, who finished 5-11, started five rookies — wide receiver Preston Williams, guards Deiter and Shaq Calhoun, defensive end Wilkins and cornerback Nik Needham.— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The way the Met has chosen to deal with this is to toss the Vatican frescoes onto all four walls of a side room via projector.— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
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The interior of the home is finished in tongue-and-groove pine on the walls and ceiling, while the flooring is hardwood.— Adam Williams April 19, New Atlas, 19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shields.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/shields. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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