fleece

noun

\ˈflēs

Definition of fleece

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the coat of wool covering a wool-bearing animal (such as a sheep)

b : the wool obtained from a sheep at one shearing

2a : any of various soft or woolly coverings

b : a soft bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric used chiefly for clothing

fleece

verb

fleeced; fleecing

Definition of fleece (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to strip of money or property by fraud or extortion

b : to charge excessively for goods or services

2 : to remove the fleece from : shear

3 : to dot or cover with fleecy masses

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about fleece

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Examples of fleece in a Sentence

Noun

learning how to shear the fleece off a sheep

Verb

Don't let that salesman fleece you. an unsuspecting tourist fleeced by a scam artist

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This strange contraption looks like a soft fleece scarf but contains a lightweight metal support that rests on your shoulder and holds your head in the perfect position for a comfy night’s sleep. — Janna Irons, Outside Online, "The Best International Travel Gear," 9 July 2018 Minnie, down in Australia, gets a snuggly fleece pouch and a handmade sling that can hang on the back of a chair for office scenarios. — Alejandra Borunda, National Geographic, "Why Rescued Kangaroo Joeys Need Handmade Pouches," 13 June 2018 Not to be mistaken for their more petite cousin, the alpaca, llamas can weigh over 400 pounds, have thick fleece coats, are very brave, and are currently catching fire in the world of home decor. — refinery29.com, "Llamas Are The Cutest New Must-Have Home Trend," 14 May 2018 On the Expo Line one day, Ry Amidon, 32, of West Adams watched a Metro employee in a black fleece jacket step onto the train, unzip his backpack, pull out a single paper towel, and drape it over the seat. — Laura J. Nelson, latimes.com, "Goodbye, upholstery. Hello, vinyl: L.A. Metro is phasing out some of its infamous fabric seats," 10 July 2018 Throughout the four days, kids curled up together in fleece blankets to comfort each other. — Karen De Sa, BostonGlobe.com, "Teens pushed to the brink at ‘leadership’ camps," 18 June 2018 Underneath, a thin layer of synthetic insulation provides warmth, while a peached-fleece bottom layer provides blissful next-to-skin comfort. — Emily Reed, Outside Online, "Score 25% Off the North Face's Mountain Sweatshirt," 23 May 2018 But one man wearing a Turnberry fleece briefly interrupted the news conference by tossing a box of golf balls emblazoned with the Nazi logo. — Jill Colvin And Paul Kelbie, chicagotribune.com, "Trump lies low in Scotland ahead of high-stakes meeting with Putin," 14 July 2018 But one man wearing a Turnberry fleece briefly interrupted the news conference by tossing a box of golf balls emblazoned with the Nazi logo. — BostonGlobe.com, "Trump back in Scotland ahead of Putin talks," 14 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Burnout fleeces our economy for over $300 billion annually in absenteeism, job turnover, lost productivity and medical claims. — Philip Chard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Burnout reflects a conflict between our inner calling and what we have to do," 13 July 2018 Short on money, Gill plots against the pyramid scheme that fleeced her. — Hal Boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'Central Florida' TV series comes from YouTube," 3 July 2018 Team owner fleeced the city for a sweetheart stadium deal and the team’s in the tank? — Dan Sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Should the Marlins bring back teal permanently and re-rebrand as the Florida Marlins?," 5 June 2018 Yes, Thomas came with much fanfare in the Kyrie Irving trade to Boston, but Gilbert and Altman can't worry about having been fleeced. — Dennis Manoloff, cleveland.com, "LeBron James provides 37-15-10 reminder of his value to Cavaliers: DMan video," 7 Feb. 2018 The cancelled summit was a prudent move to end Kim’s efforts to play the same games that allowed his father and grandfather to fleece the U.S. and its allies. — Anthony Ruggiero, Fortune, "Trump Cancelled the North Korea Summit. Here’s What He Should Do Next.," 25 May 2018 More and more, con artists — some who might not be Muslim — are fleecing the faithful. — Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, "Charity during Ramadan means public safety, religion at odds," 14 May 2018 Fairhurst was living at a Fall River rehab facility when Charlotte allegedly fleeced her. — BostonGlobe.com, "Suspects charged in case involving 80-year-old woman who wasted away and died of neglect," 8 May 2018 Many people once believed the Rays were fleeced in the three-team deal that sent Myers to San Diego. — Dennis Lin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres mailbag: Has the timeline for contention budged?," 28 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fleece.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.