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Synonyms

sheltered

American  
[shel-terd] / ˈʃɛl tərd /

adjective

  1. protected or shielded from storms, missiles, etc., by a wall, roof, barrier, or the like.

  2. protected from the troubles, annoyances, sordidness, etc., encountered in competitive situations.

    a sheltered life.

  3. (of a business or industry) enjoying noncompetitive conditions, as because of a protective tariff.

  4. of or relating to employment or housing, especially for persons with disabilities, in a noncompetitive, supervised environment.


sheltered British  
/ ˈʃɛltəd /

adjective

  1. protected from wind or weather

    a sheltered garden

  2. protected from outside influences

    a sheltered upbringing

  3. (of buildings) specially designed to provide a safe environment for the elderly, handicapped, or disabled See also sheltered housing

    sheltered workshops for the blind

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • self-sheltered adjective
  • unsheltered adjective
  • well-sheltered adjective

Etymology

Origin of sheltered

First recorded in 1585–95; shelter + -ed 2

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.

Elizabeth Uribe, who is friends with Gladdys, checked in on her parents throughout the day as they sheltered inside a hotel in Rincón de Guayabitos, a beach town not far from Puerto Vallarta.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Aziza, who sheltered families fleeing the 2024 war, worries about the massive influx of displaced people from Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah holds sway, and which have come under Israeli bombardment.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Still others sheltered in mountain resorts or lined up rides on private planes to get out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

This weather setup has driven persistent south-easterly winds driving moisture - and rainfall - into areas like southern England and eastern Scotland, leaving some spots further west sheltered from the worst of the wet weather.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

Down in the dirt, Sue and Bruce were sheltered from the worst that was yet to come.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone