fleece 1 of 2

noun

ˈflēs How to pronounce fleece (audio)
Definition of fleecenext
as in wool
the hairy covering of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick learning how to shear the fleece off a sheep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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fleece

2 of 2

verb

as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats swindlers who use the telephone to fleece senior citizens out of their savings

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 fleece
Noun
The crowd skews toward couples and grown families in fleece, denim, and sneakers, here for quiet quality time or days packed with adventure. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026 Offering pajama-level fleece comfort in a more refined, elevated silhouette, the Kira Wide-leg Sweatpants deserve a spot in your airport outfit rotation for your next getaway and beyond. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
At his sentencing in 2024, Bailyn, the prosecutor, described Lorquet as a greedy criminal who fleeced his country at one of its weakest moments in history. — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026 Detective John Bolden, 47, a 20-year NYPD veteran who retired from the force in October, schemed to fleece the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which offered loans to small businesses forced to close or at risk of closing during the COVID pandemic. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fleece
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleece
  1. wool
  2. cheat
  3. hair
  4. squeeze
  5. pluck
  6. sting
  7. hustle
  8. stick
Noun
  • Home Décor September is the time when many people are shopping for cozy and seasonal home décor—anything plaid, wool, soft, and warm will be in high demand throughout the month.
    — Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Townshend, who’s 81 now, sits for an extended interview, wearing a red wool cap over his bald head.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of wool
Verb
  • Some of the common concerns addressed by the guidance include the privacy of student data being input into AI systems, the potential for cheating and emphasis on human input and verification.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • In an atmosphere of uncertainty—and given prevailing concerns about students using AI to cheat—such bans would seem to make some sense.
    — Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • Johns began his climb to the top of the hair-color pyramid as a part-Italian, part-Yugoslavian, part-French urchin in the Pittsburgh projects.
    — Vanessa Friedman, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Johns also colored her hair shortly before her secret September 1996 wedding to Kennedy.
    — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of hair
Verb
  • The Middle East war and the resulting shipping disruption through the Strait of Hormuz drove up global commodity costs, further squeezing Beijing's own appetite for commodity imports.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Independent designers, once a discovery engine, were being squeezed, while the biggest brands put more investment into their own stores, creating a dichotomy in experiences that Bron felt was palpable.
    — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • The Muir swivel chair in oxblood velvet feels plucked out of a Hollywood Regency–style boutique hotel lobby.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Even in high school, Lane could effortlessly pluck a ball out of the air with either hand.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pluck
Verb
  • Mas launched his own stinging move around the same place that Omrzel attacked.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • And the harsh reviews from her fellow breakers weren’t even what stung Gunn the most.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of sting
Verb
  • Jake Mangum singled to left but rookie Joshua Baez misplayed it and then didn’t hustle after it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Officers hustled the residents, including the children, out of the home, while Walsh and the second officer found the suspect hiding in a bathroom.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hustle
Verb
  • Jerry could easily be a caricature of a pretentious artiste stuck overseeing anonymous regional theater productions.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Stubborn and stuck in the past have been thrown around, but Swinney has started to change and engage the transfer portal, bringing in 15 transfers this offseason after adding four the year before and zero in 2024.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of stick

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Cite this Entry

“Fleece.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleece. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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