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Definition of shieldnext

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
The opposition needs to offer a credible safe exit for these regime insiders, convincing them that the Islamic Republic is no longer their shield, but their shroud. Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026 The investigator also sought specifications on the body armor and ballistic shield used by the late officer. Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
These plans fall under federal protections that shield them regardless of how large the balance is, as long as the funds remain inside the account. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026 Bills on the table this session include ones that would protect immigrant health care, ensure food access for every New Yorker with the SNAP for All New York bill, and shield our neighbors from homelessness through the Housing Access Voucher Program. Natalia Aristizabal, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shield
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield
Noun
  • Coalition members also agreed to carry on with long-term military support for Ukraine and pledged defense cooperation, including training, defense production and intelligence sharing.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Although his unit did not perform particularly well in 2026, ranking 22nd in total defense, 24th in points against and 17th on third down, anyone that has interacted with Weaver knows that his presence screams head coach.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Leaving stems and leaves intact through winter provides extra insulation to plant roots and crowns and protects plants from cold damage.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Remember, the park was originally protected because of its biodiversity, which is its biggest draw.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • On April 16, a week after that panicked text message from Banfield, Wynn floated another proposal to the bank, this time asking if the school could get a line of credit to cover expenses through the summer.
    Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The lush gardens are spread across about a dozen acres and feature a mix of styles, including a traditional Valencian space with Moorish influences, sprawling greenhouses, and pergolas covered in swaths of roses.
    Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Rasouli doesn’t recommend relying on cheese for protection against dementia.
    Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 9 Jan. 2026
  • On the whole, higher limits offer better protection, so recognizing the differences in coverage between minimum requirements and real-life needs can inform better decision-making in this regard.
    Ethan M. Stone, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Playing without William Nylander, Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev, among others, the Leafs ran all over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers for two periods and then hung on to beat them in the third.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The new agreement says that Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ability to defend itself are non-negotiable elements of any peace deal and warned that its self-defense is essential to its own security and wider Euro-Atlantic stability.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The container had 18 rifles, five handguns, firearms magazines, over 36,000 rounds of ammunition and a silencer that had been shipped from Miami.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Taiwan should deepen its reserves of ammunition, energy, and food to withstand a prolonged blockade—measured in months, not weeks.
    Bobby Ghosh, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • As part of this effort, the state highlights the importance of awareness campaigns in cancer prevention to safeguard firefighters’ health and well-being.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
  • The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Aside from the duo’s adorable banter, we were captivated by the cozy atmosphere both actors created thanks to some gold wall sconces in their respective homes.
    Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Imagine trying to build a sturdy wall with bricks that keep floating away into thin air—that’s essentially what happens when cathode material dissolves in a thermal battery.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shield. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on shield

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