SHIELD Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

shield 1 of 2

noun

ˈshēld

Definition of shield

as in defense

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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shield

2 of 2

verb

as in to protect

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 to cover

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

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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

Video from the scene showed law enforcement officers taking cover behind patrol SUVs on the street near the home as a small tactical team behind a handheld shield moved toward the structure. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026 If the fluids were removed without replacement, the immense geological weight of the overlying earth would cause the salt domes to collapse inward like a crushed shield. — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Security tried to shield the 6-foot-10 veteran as spectators swarmed. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Las Vegas — Under a canopy shielding them from the desert sun that pushes temperatures to nearly 110 degrees, Las Vegas tourists rode zip lines down Fremont Street. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shield

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield

Noun

Davis’ defense attorney, Michael Sanft, challenged jurors to identify evidence outside Davis’ own statements that placed him in Las Vegas or inside the Cadillac on the night Shakur was shot.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Allen collected three hits and played terrific defense during a 6-3 win against the Mets.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of defense

Verb

Play was suspended on the outside courts, but the roofs could close on Armstrong and Ashe, protecting Bublik and Wolf, and Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone, from the elements.

— Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Families who answer those questions early protect both generations.

— Jon Sabes, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of protect

Verb

Some of those rescued are covered in mud and appear injured after being battered by the flood, one video shows.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Researchers studying how Medicare insurers cover GLP-1s have found that recipients have faced increases in out-of-pocket costs and that almost all plans now require prior authorization, which can make getting the drugs more difficult.

— Jackie Fortiér, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of cover

Noun

The approach can provide thermal protection without pumps or circulating coolant.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
As a result, many drivers opt for uninsured motorist coverage for additional financial protection, which can increase insurance costs.

— McKynzie Steward, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of protection

Verb

Alonso is leaning into Chelsea’s strength — the transitional attacking power of his front three — and working on protecting the weakness, giving up too much space for his team to defend.

— Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of defend

Noun

Ukrainian officials said the strike, which marks the deadliest Russian attack in Ukraine so far this year, hit an ammunition storage facility in the village of Myla, triggering fires and explosions.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
This is a high-purity form of antimony which has defense uses, particularly in primers, ammunition and pyrotechnic compositions.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of ammunition

Noun

At Sharma-Crawford’s office, his assistant posted three separate calendars to the office wall.

— Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Security cameras on the Chinese side of the border captured people running from a wall of debris as floodwaters rushed through a border crossing, sweeping away vehicles and buildings.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of wall

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“Shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shield. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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