shut

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.

TEL AVIV—The cabin doors had just sealed shut on a recent Tel Aviv flight bound for Athens when a chorus of alerts went off on passengers’ phones—an early warning that missiles were on the way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

"This could suggest that, to develop treatments for pancreatic cancer metastasis, the gene may not need to be entirely shut down to have a positive effect," says Feinberg.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

“So we just shut down immediately. We didn’t contest anything.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

For nearly two days, the White House avoided press questions about the downed fighter jet, presumably to shut down any discussion of the rescue mission that was underway.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

I squeeze them shut the way you do when you’re not sure whether you’re awake or dreaming and you hope that when you open your eyes it will be dark and you’ll be in bed.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse