turtlelike
Resembling a tortoise
Resembling or characteristic of a turtle in some way, whether in appearance, movement, or behavior.
Something turtlelike might be slow-moving, have a rounded shell-like shape, or suggest the cautious, retractable quality of a turtle withdrawing into its shell.
His turtlelike pace frustrated everyone behind him.
She gave a turtlelike shrug, pulling her head down into her collar.
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- plastronVentral shell portion
- armoredProtected by metal covering
- encasedCompletely surrounded by covering
- domedWith rounded roof
scaly · leathery · plated · bony · ridged · segmented · keeled · scutes
Before documented civilization
- primordialExisting from the start
- fossilPreserved ancient organism
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
- cretaceousLast Mesozoic period
evolutionary · paleontological · long-lived · ancestral · timeless · ageless · enduring
Moving slowly, heavily
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- creepingMoving slowly, stealthily
- lumberingMoving heavily and awkwardly
- sluggishSlow and inactive
unhurried · dawdling · meandering · ponderous · snail-paced · deliberate · torpid · languid
Organized and deliberate
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- patientAble to wait calmly
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
reliable · dependable · resolute · determined · measured · staunch · unflappable · imperturbable
Kept safe from harm
- guardedWary and restrained
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
- fortifiedMade more resistant
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
cautious · wary · risk-averse · secure · shielded · encased · impenetrable · reclusive
Removing or pulling away
- retractingWithdrawing a statement
- tuckingPushing snugly beneath
- shrinkingDecreasing in dimension
- recedingMoving away from observer
contracting · coiling · curling · defensive
carapace
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- plastronVentral shell portion
- armoredProtected by metal covering
- encasedCompletely surrounded by covering
domed · scaly · leathery · plated · bony · ridged · segmented · keeled · scutes
prehistoric
Before documented civilization
- primordialExisting from the start
- fossilPreserved ancient organism
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
cretaceous · evolutionary · paleontological · long-lived · ancestral · timeless · ageless · enduring
plodding
Moving slowly, heavily
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- creepingMoving slowly, stealthily
- lumberingMoving heavily and awkwardly
sluggish · unhurried · dawdling · meandering · ponderous · snail-paced · deliberate · torpid · languid · laggard
methodical
Organized and deliberate
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- patientAble to wait calmly
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
unwavering · reliable · dependable · resolute · determined · measured · staunch · unflappable · imperturbable · even-tempered
sheltered
Kept safe from harm
withdrawn · cautious · wary · risk-averse · secure · shielded · encased · impenetrable · reclusive
withdrawing
Removing or pulling away
- retractingWithdrawing a statement
- tuckingPushing snugly beneath
- shrinkingDecreasing in dimension
receding · contracting · coiling · curling · defensive
turtlelikeexposed
Out in open
open · vulnerable · unguarded · unshielded · unprotected
like, turtle, turtles, turtleneck, turtling, turtlehead, turtleback, snapping turtle, box turtle