shelves

[shelvz] / ʃɛlvz /

NOUN

jutting, flat area or piece

Synonyms

STRONGEST

counter cupboard ledge rack

STRONG

bank bracket console mantelpiece mantle reef ridge rock shallow shoal

VERB

defer, postpone

Synonyms

STRONGEST

freeze give up mothball prolong put off suspend waive

STRONG

delay dismiss drop hold pigeonhole prorogue scrub sideline stay table

WEAK

hang up hold off hold over hold up lay aside put aside put on back burner put on hold put on ice slow up tie up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue go

STRONG

advance

WEAK

carry out do go ahead

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Or retailers, which—when they finally stocked their shelves in 2022 after years of pandemic-related shortages—discovered that inflation-weary consumers were tapped out.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

TOKYO—War in Iran is draining the color from Japanese supermarket shelves.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

Clothing, as a result, sat on racks and stockroom shelves unsold.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Shoppers push trolleys past shelves stocked with imported French cheeses, wines, cosmetics and bakery products alongside local Kenyan brands.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

It’s not a real cellar—no shelves for preserves or rations for nuclear fallout—just a temporary safety pod.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith