1
as in equipment
items needed for the performance of a task or activity
grabbed his gear, threw on his pads, and headed out to the football field for practice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in things
transportable items that one owns
you can store your gear in the overhead bin during the flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in clothing
covering for the human body
the latest in kid gear
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to model
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 gear
New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
As protesters slept early May 6, police in riot gear ordered everyone to clear out and arrested those who stayed.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025
Herndon carefully maneuvered through the wires and gear and got into place.
—Cindy Watts, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gear
Noun
That said, Imalent has been in the EDC and outdoors flashlight business for a while now, has launched three other products on Kickstarter previously, and sells a range of gear via its site.
—New Atlas, 13 Apr. 2026
As protesters slept early May 6, police in riot gear ordered everyone to clear out and arrested those who stayed.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
When traveling, make sure to clean your clothes, boat, animals and gear off afterward to prevent the spread of invasive species to other areas.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025
Herndon carefully maneuvered through the wires and gear and got into place.
—Cindy Watts, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gear
Noun
-
Workers often enter deep shafts using rudimentary equipment, while enforcement of rules is carried out through violence.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators found that the fire was ignited when equipment failed on a decades-old PG&E transmission line.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Word was for writing things up.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
-
But if the Mets don’t start scoring some runs and cleaning things up, there won’t be any games again come October, and owner Steve Cohen, who is in attendence this week at Dodger Stadium, could take action.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With a seemingly unlimited clothing budget and access to goods and ideas from around the globe, the Queen had a vast, ever-evolving wardrobe.—
Emilia Petrarca,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Highlights include making upcycled items like T-shirt bags, swapping gently used clothing, learning about composting and water conservation.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Using satellite data, tsunami and earthquake researchers can better model — and hopefully better forecast — these extreme ocean events.—
Stefanie Waldek,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The brand tapped local talent to model the looks and shared it all on social media.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Farej said Wednesday that safety concerns escalated since House became mayor in May, as the village has failed to take action on issues such as broken apparatus and equipment.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
When the British colonial apparatus first attempted to count India’s population in 1872, the survey asked was a list of 17 questions covering basic markers like age, religion and occupation.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Herring, who has custody of her two younger children, also brought her clothes and other belongings, the affidavit states.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Further, renters can protect their belongings with renters insurance.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In my two-level penthouse suite, for example, quietly floral wallpaper, gray-velvet sofas and armchairs, and patterned cream tiles with gold accents in the bathrooms made for a sophisticated, yet welcoming space.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Jan. 2026
-
The institutions studied by political scientists do not exist outside ideology but are simply patterned instances of ideology—and if ideology changes drastically enough, the institutions change with it.—
Jason Blakely,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Even though there was some absurd stuff on the show, people did legitimately do things that were outrageous back then.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This is distinct from writing that is humorous, the stuff that will give you a wry smile at best.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gear. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
