SHIELDS Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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as in covers

to place a protective layer over she shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand

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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

Its formula contains red algae extract, an antioxidant the brand says shields hair from pollution for up to 48 hours, and Olaplex’s signature bond-building technology, strengthening weak, overprocessed strands. — Valeriya Chupinina, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026 Cliches were wielded like shields Tuesday, protecting against the imminent threat of social clips construed as bulletin board material. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 Some demonstrators cursed at police officers holding riot shields, while others yelled out as passing cars honked in support of the protest. — Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026 There are also three shields on the top deck, high up where everyone can stare accusatorily at whoever is brazen enough to grab one. — Alice Burton, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 In the Dungeon Restaurant, diners feast on contemporary Scottish cuisine, their tables surrounded by suits of armor and shields. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026 Police responded with tear gas and smoke bombs, batons and shields. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 After the ship came under attack and lost its shields, Picard was urged to find a way to close in on the enemy vessel without taking further fire. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026 The other $25,000 grant is being used so that the district can purchase ballistic shields. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

With methane—a potent greenhouse gas—ousted from the atmosphere, and the creation of the UV-protective ozone layer (which still shields us from the sun’s rays today), the Earth began to cool and experienced one of its earliest ice ages. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 The hacks could tee up a fight over liability reminiscent of the debate over Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which shields technology companies for material posted on their platforms. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026 This tough outer layer shields the underlying wood from pests, disease, and harsh sunlight and winds. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2026 The injunction shields members who use pronouns or names assigned at birth when referring to transgender people. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 At the federal level, attempts have been made to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which shields firearm makers and dealers from civil liability. — Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 Bumble and bumble’s Heat Shield mist is made to be sprayed onto dry hair before a flat iron, curling iron, or other hot tool, providing essential UV protection that shields color. — Polly Blitzer, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2026 Homeowners selling a primary residence who meet certain IRS conditions can qualify for a tax break, known as the Section 121 exclusion, that shields up to $250,000 of profits for single filers and $500,000 for married couples filing jointly. — Annie Nova,sarah Agostino,kelli Grant, Cfp®, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 Banning corporate cross-border stablecoins shields Pretoria’s currency controls at the direct expense of corporate productivity. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shields

Noun

Including his time at Syracuse and Nebraska, Tony White’s defenses have held opponents under 20 points in 34 games (FSU has done so three times in 2026, although the Seminoles gave up 50 at Alabama).

— Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Through four games, the team has one of the worst defenses in the league.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of defenses

Verb

The award covers its participation in the Start-Up Valley at ITMA 2027 in Hanover, Germany, including an exhibition stand and supporting services.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
But the White House has refused to allow CNN and Politico in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One, places that are opened up to the press pool, a rotating group of journalists that covers the president's movements each day.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of covers

Noun

Geoff warns Ilya to moderate his projections, emphasizing the need for safeguards, but the idealistic Russian is swept up in the vast potential of AI — to solve the climate crisis, cure cancer, even save humanity from itself.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
In addition to security safeguards, Shield promises to reimburse up to $100,000 for regular users, and up to $500,000 for its highest class of VIP users, in the event of a third-party takeover.

— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of safeguards

Verb

The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the country.

— Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026
Different views on the topic Hilton defends the ad as a humorous, provocative way to reach Californians who are dissatisfied with the state’s direction but might not ordinarily consider voting Republican.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of defends

Noun

Lemon argued his actions were protected under the First Amendment’s protections for the press and protesters.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
In the Central African Republic — where transgender people have little to no legal protections and are marginalized in much of society — Fuentes dons her wig only in the privacy of her bathroom.

— Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of protections

Verb

Klaatu's giant robot sidekick, Gort, then steps out of the vessel, obliterates a load of firearms with his laser eyes, and silently guards the ship as his master is taken to hospital.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
But with Smith now sidelined, Heat rookie guards Tre Donaldson and Ryan Conwell will have an opportunity to play a bigger role in practices and in games this preseason.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of guards

Noun

The tomb’s entrance passage, with narrowing walls and descending axis, creates a liminal stage to orient the body before entering the burial chamber.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
Beyond the walls of the company’s London headquarters, which is filled with thousands of its plushy pink octopus mascots, Jackson’s empire may look like an unwieldy one.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of walls

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shielding

shields

shies

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“Shields.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shields. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shields

noun

verb

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