1
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
it took almost a week to shear all the wool off the flock of sheep
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to slit
to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)
the shark's razor-sharp teeth sheared the swimmer's flesh right down to the bone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shear
Bob had his cheek welded onto the factory plastic, fists gripped to the window frame, all of his pale hair sheared back by the drag.
—
Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
But since azaleas tolerate heavy pruning and respond by sending out new shoots all along remaining stems, the shrubs work well when sheared into a formal hedge.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025
But instead of having a swath of fabric across its midsection, the sheep in the Brooks Brothers x Prince collaboration graphic is pictured holding a racquet and tennis ball, getting ready to serve, and looks much happier than the downtrodden lamb in the original logo waiting to be sheared.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Both processes require thermal energy to heat the machines and materials and mechanical energy to shear or mix the materials (and, in the case of traditional extrusion, to push them through a die).
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2018
See All Example Sentences for shear
Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
But since azaleas tolerate heavy pruning and respond by sending out new shoots all along remaining stems, the shrubs work well when sheared into a formal hedge.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025
But instead of having a swath of fabric across its midsection, the sheep in the Brooks Brothers x Prince collaboration graphic is pictured holding a racquet and tennis ball, getting ready to serve, and looks much happier than the downtrodden lamb in the original logo waiting to be sheared.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Both processes require thermal energy to heat the machines and materials and mechanical energy to shear or mix the materials (and, in the case of traditional extrusion, to push them through a die).
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2018
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
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Thankfully, a shelter volunteer, Nikki Miller, took up Chase’s cause, giving him a bath, trimming his nails and shaving his fur to get him back to looking his best again.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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The fallout, which sparked criticisms that Disney was caving on free-speech issues and drew some threats from Hollywood talent to stop working with the company, shaved more than $4 billion off its market value last week.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Someone slit Skull's throat and bashed him over the head.—
Keith Sharon,
Nashville Tennessean,
29 Sep. 2025
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When Rochelle Luna, 18, arrived at the house hours later, Djerf bound, gagged and raped her before stabbing her and slitting her throat, court records said.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The 2-point conversion attempt failed, but the Packers cut the gap to 21-6.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Stocks got some help from a report on inflation that suggested the Federal Reserve may be able to continue cutting interest rates.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The great barracuda, in particular, is known for its speed and fearsome array of needlelike teeth that can swiftly slice through prey.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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Gunshots slicing through the air from above sent visitors running for cover or peering out of their cars to investigate – some worried for family members inside the facility.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Consider color-blocking or subtle contrast trim if your heart is set on a mix of colors.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
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For Zone 2, which is the area beyond Zone 1 up to 100 feet from a building, property owners are required to keep grass trimmed, space out shrubs and trees, and keep a 10-foot buffer around wood piles.—
Hannah Ruhoff,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some of the turnovers have been bad luck, like when SMU ripped a would-be touchdown away from Eric McAlister in the end zone or when Jordan Dwyer bobbled a pass only for it to be intercepted by the Sun Devils.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Sep. 2025
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Replace the stained, ripped, and pilling linens with crisp sets to refresh your bedding and ditch or repurpose the miscellaneous ones in your linen cabinet too.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After Rodrigo De Paul was clipped inside the 18-yard box for a penalty, Suarez stepped up to coolly convert from the spot with a low effort to the left.—
Franco Panizo,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
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Try a furry suit with oversized ears or clip on a Labubu accessory for extra flair.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But French police have also been observed previously using knives to slash and sink the inflatable boats of migrants who put up little or no resistance.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
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The application window was slashed from the usual month-long period to just nine days, buried during a national crisis when many filmmakers were literally unable to access government offices due to civil unrest.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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