shut; shutting
1
a
: to move into position to close an opening
shut the lid
b
: to prevent entrance to or passage to or from
2
: to confine by or as if by enclosure
shut herself in her study
3
: to fasten with a lock or bolt
4
: to close by bringing enclosing or covering parts together
shut the eyes
5
: to cause to cease or suspend an operation or activity
—often used with down
1
: to close itself or become closed
flowers that shut at night
2
: to cease or suspend an operation or activity
—often used with down
Examples of shut in a Sentence
Verb
He shut his eyes and went to sleep.
She shut the book loudly.
I accidentally shut the door on her fingers.
flowers that shut at night
The door shut slowly behind me.
The owner is shutting the pub for the weekend.
They plan to shut the factory by the end of the year.
Adjective
She listened to the music with her eyes shut.
Check to make sure that all the windows are shut.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Westfall, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Before President Donald Trump shut it down on his first day in office, Jan. 20, the online system allowed undocumented aliens to submit information and schedule appointments at eight southwest U.S. border ports of entry.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Nicole Acosta, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Schools remained shut and additional flights were scheduled to help people leave the Greek island of Santorini on Monday as dozens of tremors shook the popular holiday destination for a fourth day.
—Reuters, NBC News, 3 Feb. 2025
Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024
The damage Moicano put on his opponent forced the doctor to wave off the fight as Saint Denis’ right eye was nearly swollen shut.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shut
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
When money doesn’t materialize, some PE firms file for bankruptcy, where the CEO role must transform - or sometimes disappear, when a company shuts their doors.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Before President Donald Trump shut it down on his first day in office, Jan. 20, the online system allowed undocumented aliens to submit information and schedule appointments at eight southwest U.S. border ports of entry.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
While searching the property, deputies found that the front door was barricaded shut and the back door was rigged with a shotgun.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Schools remained shut and additional flights were scheduled to help people leave the Greek island of Santorini on Monday as dozens of tremors shook the popular holiday destination for a fourth day.
—Reuters, NBC News, 3 Feb. 2025
Noun
On Monday, August 30, 2004 — the day before that summer’s transfer window shut — Everton’s then chairman, the late Bill Kenwright, was sitting in Ferguson’s office at Old Trafford, alongside his club’s manager David Moyes and United CEO David Gill following a goalless draw between the two sides.
—Ahmed Walid, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024
The damage Moicano put on his opponent forced the doctor to wave off the fight as Saint Denis’ right eye was nearly swollen shut.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shut
Cite this Entry
“Shut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shut. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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