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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cover

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 jail has issued inmates Android tablets and Englert says some have turned the heat shields into blades. — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 Among the work that appeared to be left to be done was adding a protective shield, which Uroff said could protect the letters for another 20 years. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Verb

Unlike her opponent, Roy grew up comfortably in Monrovia, largely shielded from the sacrifices her family made to afford her an elite education. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 The 2027 test But record revenues have not been enough to shield profits from ⁠soaring fuel costs. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shield

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shield

Noun

Stokes finished with a personal 2026 postseason-best 13 points to go with eight rebounds, three blocks and suffocating defense on Dream star Angel Reese, who was held to seven points on 2-for-8 shooting.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Portis rushed to his teammates’ defense, getting into Gafford’s face before the two teams separated them.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of defense

Verb

More missiles, many more options This would significantly expand the ship’s ability to protect an entire naval task group, rather than primarily concentrating on defending itself and nearby assets.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Russia imposed temporary export controls on helium in April to protect its domestic supply.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of protect

Verb

The carbon covers the grip, the thumb rest, and the soft-release button, the spots a photographer touches most.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Still, though, the White House has selectively denied CNN access to cover the president's travel on Air Force One -- no fewer than four times to date, Boutrous wrote.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of cover

Noun

Meta has long been criticized for its data privacy practices, and on Wednesday, a New Mexico judge ordered the company to pay $25 billion for violating the state’s consumer protection laws.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
And Paulino’s research into plantas de poder (plants of power), used for spiritual protection in Afro-Brazilian religious traditions, has only deepened, the relationship between her plants and the cycles of day and night becoming more expansive.

— Tatiane de Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of protection

Verb

Trump proceeded to defend the White House renovation for an additional five-odd minutes before delivering Obama a message directly.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
Egypt's president sought to reassure the public that the country wouldn't attack Yemen, and that the military support is limited to defending Saudi territory.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of defend

Noun

Carrying several rockets lets the aircraft conduct multiple engagements in one sortie, though the number of successful interceptions will depend on the targets, engagement conditions, and available ammunition.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
The Ukrainian leader has pleaded with Washington to supply more Patriot air-defense ammunition to stop the missiles, and to heap more sanctions on Russia to pressure Moscow to pursue peace.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of ammunition

Verb

On the other hand, automation can optimize the return on human capital if it is used to eliminate low-value tasks while safeguarding the organization’s long-term human innovative capacity.

— Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
In 2023, amidst the collapse of Credit Suisse, Ermotti returned to lead UBS, spearheading the historic emergency acquisition of Credit Suisse to safeguard Swiss financial stability.

— , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of safeguard

Noun

There is a build up of debris around the back vent and wall above the walk-in freezer.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Open every day and complimentary for all guests, children four and older are fully supervised on indoor and outdoor adventures, from a climbing wall and children’s cinema to village walks and ski lessons.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of wall

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“Shield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shield. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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