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
  • While the fabric includes merino wool, the short sleeves keep it from getting too hot to wear through the end of summer.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Portuguese touches are incorporated here too; the blanket on the bed comes from Burel and is made using wool from Serra de Estrela sheep into colorful, contemporary designs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of wool
Verb
  • Child safety advocates and some parents have welcomed age restrictions, while privacy groups say the rules can be cheated and that forcing users to supply identification raises privacy concerns.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The Model 3 and Model Y adopted less elaborate press-and-pivot handles, helping give the cars their clean, wind-cheating profiles.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheat
Noun
  • Redmond noted that the retailer is also bringing in some K-beauty as part of the new assortment, and is increasing its penetration in hair care too.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Scalp massages increase blood flow to the area, which can significantly promote hair growth.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hair
Verb
  • Questions no longer centre on marking this era with a trophy, but on how much juice is left to squeeze.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • To protect a specific area, such as a garden, Parker recommends properly installing snake fencing made from quarter-inch hardware cloth, which can help keep even newborn copperheads from squeezing through.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • If the Panthers didn’t want him, in other words, he’d probably be plucked off the waiver wire by someone else.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Phoebes are adept flycatchers, and usually pluck their meals in midflight.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of pluck
Verb
  • Several clubs have been stung by excessive ventures into external markets in recent years, most notably Tottenham in Italy and Manchester United’s mistakes in the Dutch league under Erik ten Hag.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Battered fish and salt-and-vinegar-seasoned chips have been a staple for hundreds of years, best paired with stinging seaside winds and spray.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of sting
Verb
  • Hate crime charges have been filed against a man who disrupted Shabbat services in Manhattan's Central Synagogue and struck two people while being hustled outside Friday night.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Hong’s early capture of the data-center issue, which was not especially ideological, is a good example of how consistently the Party’s much larger traditional wing has been out-hustled.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hustle
Verb
  • For the past few years, Florida’s housing market has been stuck in a strange kind of standoff.
    — Justin Onorato, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms include eye pain, a sensation of something being stuck in the eye, watering, light sensitivity, redness, irritation and blurred or clouded vision.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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