shields 1 of 2

noun

plural of shield
as in defenses
means or method of defending the slightly built boy used his sharp wit as a shield against the school's bullies

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shields

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shield
1
as in protects
to drive danger or attack away from celebrities who are shielded by a cluster of bodyguards whenever they appear in public

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in covers
to place a protective layer over she shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

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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
Noun
Ornamental shields and coats of arms are decorated with castles, crosses, lions, flags, and crowns. — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026 The exemption shields bargained rules related to wages, hours and other working conditions from antitrust scrutiny. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Whether Section 230 shields companies from liability over their product design—a defense expected to feature in other litigation against tech firms—could have wider implications for the industry. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Designers must place heavy radiation shields around the reactor to keep crew members safe. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 The Phalanx was composed of men who moved and fought as one cohesive unit, creating an impenetrable wall of interlocking shields. — Steve Muscato, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Multiple noise mitigation efforts were undertaken — sound walls, scream shields and even pea gravel in the coaster’s tracks. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 Plus, built-in AcerVisionCare tech shields your eyes from blue light and screen flicker during marathon homework sessions. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026 Then, the riot police charged into protesters with batons and shields. — Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 20 July 2026
Verb
Bert shields Stuart from Wil’s deadly fireball, which leads to a magic fight to the death between the two that destroys most of the comic book shop and ends with Wil’s demise. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026 The same can be said about Capricorn, since the sea god has tough armor that shields them from individuals who don’t hold their best interests. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 While laminate has a protective coating that shields it from damage, using the wrong cleaning products will etch away at this top layer and dull its shine. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026 The Justice Department wants to invoke the Westfall Act, which shields government employees from being sued for doing their jobs. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act shields these companies from legal responsibility for such content. — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 15 July 2026 Malware protection shields your devices from harmful sites, and automatic updates keep your defenses current. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 15 July 2026 That case concerns a longstanding Supreme Court precedent that broadly shields members of such boards from being fired at will, in order to protect them from partisan interference. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 The new law shields editors and reporters from prior review by university officials. — Ben Szalinski, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shields
  1. defenses
  2. protects
  3. covers
  4. safeguards
  5. defends
  6. protections
  7. guards
  8. walls
Noun
  • All of the missiles slipped past Ukrainian defenses, killing least 17 people and wounding dozens more.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jason Semore’s defenses, with his aggressive 4-2-5 scheme, typically rack up interceptions.
    — Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of defenses
Verb
  • Careful handling protects both your energy and the relationship involved.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
  • At the Justice Department, the Office of Foreign Litigation protects American interests in thousands of proceedings around the world.
    — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of protects
Verb
  • One issue, Denker said, is the 220-plus manhole covers on the race circuit that had to be welded to ensure the race cars don't suck them off the road.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Jelly and the other goats were focused on the Japanese Knotweed, an invasive species, that covers the hillside.
    — Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of covers
Noun
  • But a follow-up investigation by the Oregon Health Authority, made public in February 2024, found the facility was still discharging vulnerable patients, including those with severe addiction, without proper safeguards.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The Independent reported that the museum has conducted a vibration study and implemented safeguards amid concerns that race activity could affect artworks and historic structures.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of safeguards
Verb
  • Sasa takes on a rape case that strikes close to home, while his friend Kalle defends a client in a gang trial that tests his ideals.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Rolly Romero defends his WBA welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez on August 22, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of defends
Noun
  • But in the days since Haitians suffered one of the biggest losses of immigration protections in recent memory, few customers have stopped by his Fort Lauderdale shop to purchase any of it.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Meta plans to strengthen these protections as the glasses become more capable.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of protections
Verb
  • Shrine guards flick sticks with ostrich feathers at female pilgrims lingering too long in the shade to try to keep the flow of people moving.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The caterpillar even guards the wasp’s cocoons before eventually dying.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of guards
Noun
  • At the Base of Trees and Shrubs Fences and rock walls aren’t the only structures poison ivy likes to climb.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The greybeards will take on the suicide mission of storming the castle walls, erecting ladders, and invading the city while arrows and rocks rain down on them.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of walls

Browse Nearby Words

shielding
shields
shies
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Cite this Entry

“Shields.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shields. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of shields for Spanish Speakers

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