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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shear
In that 1964 work, Ono sat still on a stage, a pair of scissors beside her, as audience members took turns shearing her clothing.
—
Julie L. Belcove,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
It can be sheared into a formal hedge or shaped into a ball.
—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2026
Most campanulas get sheared back at some point during the summer to clean up ugly or damaged foliage and encourage another flush of blooms.
—
Marie Iannotti,
The Spruce,
9 May 2026
Up next was pineapple, its spikes thoughtfully sheared smooth and cut into spears.
—
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
Julie L. Belcove,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
It can be sheared into a formal hedge or shaped into a ball.
—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2026
Most campanulas get sheared back at some point during the summer to clean up ugly or damaged foliage and encourage another flush of blooms.
—
Marie Iannotti,
The Spruce,
9 May 2026
Up next was pineapple, its spikes thoughtfully sheared smooth and cut into spears.
—
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
-
Zillow says that a pale pink bathroom could lose you up to $6,013, while a pale pink kitchen shaves an extra $4,201 off potential buyers' offers.
-
The Supreme Court ruled that a Louisiana prisoner whose dreadlocks were forcibly shaved off by prison guards cannot sue them under a federal law designed to protect the religious rights of prisoners.
Verb
-
Before police took him into custody, Tran slit his wrists, cut his neck and poked the blade into his stomach, but all of the wounds were superficial.
-
If it’s baked in a loaf pan, go ahead and slit the top of the batter before baking.
Verb
-
Kirkmeyer has campaigned on affordability and safety issues, Bottoms is pushing for a redo of the state's education system among other things and Marx wants to cut regulations and lower the cost of living.
-
Terrell Carstens, a 25-year resident of Brookhaven, said she is frustrated the city made little effort to find places to cut costs instead of raising the rate.
Verb
-
Pizza Tascio — a Kansas City-area restaurant chain with seven existing locations — is about to slice its newest spot.
-
After being used only as a second-half substitute against Cape Verde, he was thrown in from the start on Sunday and wasted no time in making his presence felt, repeatedly slicing through the Saudi defense before turning home Mikel Oyarzabal's cross.
Verb
-
This 30-piece Bosch router bit set is a top choice for woodworkers, trim work, edge profiles, and cabinet projects.
-
Weed the edges around the sidewalk regularly and trim shrubs and grass that hang over the sidewalk because their shade can promote mold and moss growth.
Verb
-
Pride flags are once again blowing in the breeze on Kings Highway in Haddonfield, New Jersey, less than 48 hours after police say a man ripped most of them down in the middle of the borough's busy business district.
-
Sequined trousers resembled jeans, while ripped denim was finished with fine silver chains.
Verb
-
Pinch-hitter Jose Tabata fouled off a pair of 2-2 pitches before Scherzer clipped him on the elbow with a breaking ball.
-
At least some of Mahajan's family managed to jump out safely, but Mahajan was still inside when the carriage clipped another horse carriage and overturned.
Verb
-
Keywords Studios is slashing 128 jobs in San Francisco.
-
Nor slashing domestic draft bonuses from last year’s payout of $401 million to $200 million.
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
