1
as in to cut
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
he always shaves most of his hair off when the weather starts getting warmer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
just shaved the concrete post as the car turned the corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 shave
Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
That question may not be resolved for a month or longer, as state budget writers look at how to shave nearly $800 million in planned spending for the upcoming year to close the state’s gap.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
David Beckham Another Mercurio favourite, Richard Madden, will look the part with a shave and enough Brylcreem.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shave
Verb
The point-shaving scheme included at least 17 schools, according to federal prosecutors, and was allegedly run by some of the same men who were indicted and charged as part of a Department of Justice investigation into an NBA gambling scheme.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
That question may not be resolved for a month or longer, as state budget writers look at how to shave nearly $800 million in planned spending for the upcoming year to close the state’s gap.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
His murder victims don’t fall down a chute after their throats are slit during their shave and a haircut.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
David Beckham Another Mercurio favourite, Richard Madden, will look the part with a shave and enough Brylcreem.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shave
Verb
-
Even as Michigan State came roaring back in the second half, cutting the lead to just two in the final minute, UCLA never flinched.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Orangefield cut the lead to 8 points a couple of times late in the game, but Cobb made 5 of 6 free throws in the final 46 seconds to keep the Bobcats at bay.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rao recommends parents help their kids brush their teeth through about the middle of elementary school.—
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall,
Popular Science,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Other Republicans also brushed off Graham’s media blitz.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The epicenter of the shaving world won’t be moving far.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The shaving products company, which is owned by Proctor & Gamble, is building an innovation center at 232 A Street, which is right next to the existing P&G campus in South Boston.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The city is on track to release a catalogue of eight pre-approved designs this year to streamline the process and trim costs on homeowners.—
Mark Dee
March 12,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Mar. 2026
-
How To Dethatch Your Lawn The day before dethatching, mow your lawn as usual to trim the grass and remove excess debris from the lawn, then water the lawn lightly.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That’s right, everybody’s love for lips that look freshly kissed and effortlessly sophisticated is arriving in the manicure space.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The sinewy champion then cradled his wife, Presleigh, in his arm and kissed her at the front of the 18th green, along the water’s edge.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One of them wore a dress with what looked like a clipping of a poster placed diagonally across her dress like a Miss Universe sash.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
7 Mar. 2026
-
With the help of that tiny clipping of moss, the defendants were eventually convicted of desecrating human remains in 2015.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even 20 years ago, film wasn’t as accessible or easily clipped together.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
See the date announcement clip below.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Use a sharp paring knife or the curved tip of a vegetable peeler to remove any larger sprouts from the potato.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The paring could be between a person and either an AI tool or an AI agent.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shave. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
