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.

Perhaps you’ve heard of “car-cuterie”—a spread of cheeses, salumi, fresh fruit and hard-boiled eggs assembled entirely from convenience store shelves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

Inside the sparse, upscale abode, cardboard moving boxes are still scattered across the entryway, and his shelves lack ingredients.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Provinces pulled US alcohol from shelves and Canadians significantly curbed travel south, which irritated the US in return.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Sanseido, a 145-year-old bookstore in Tokyo's book district Jimbocho, began putting zines on their shelves almost a year ago.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

It was bursting with things for sale: piled on shelves, tied to the wall, hanging from the ceiling in baskets and hammocks.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell