1
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
it took almost a week to shear all the wool off the flock of sheep
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to slit
to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)
the shark's razor-sharp teeth sheared the swimmer's flesh right down to the bone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shear
The video shows the Amazon drone shearing the wire line.
—
Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
The film reunited him with Morrison, who played the head of a sheep-shearing family business in northeastern New Zealand in the 1950s.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
At one point, Teddy’s hair had gotten so matted from the frequent licking that the vet had to partially sedate him and shear away most of his fur.
—Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
Some of these mountainsides have dislodged themselves deep in the bedrock, causing the face of a mountain to shear clean off — as has happened at least twice in the last two years.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shear
Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
The film reunited him with Morrison, who played the head of a sheep-shearing family business in northeastern New Zealand in the 1950s.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
At one point, Teddy’s hair had gotten so matted from the frequent licking that the vet had to partially sedate him and shear away most of his fur.
—Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
Some of these mountainsides have dislodged themselves deep in the bedrock, causing the face of a mountain to shear clean off — as has happened at least twice in the last two years.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
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Eger’s blonde hair was shaved and her earrings were pulled off, leaving her ears bleeding.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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But now, federal prosecutors say Hennen is the fixer behind the biggest point-shaving scandal in history, accused of bribing 39 college players, corrupting 17 programs and fixing — or trying fix — 29 games to enrich himself and other gamblers.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If the experimenter reads the information about which slit the photon passed through, there will never be an interference pattern.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
20 Dec. 2025
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Police say when an officer tried to detain him, Cooksey threatened to slit the officer's throat.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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With the benefit of hindsight, analysts and investors have blamed much of Kraft Heinz’s downward spiral on the brutal cost-cutting strategy imposed after the merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Beijing has spent decades growing its trade ties and bankrolling projects in the region, to boost transportation links and cut energy costs – cementing its own influence along the way.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Add 1 large white onion, thinly sliced through root end, 6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped, and a large pinch of kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6–8 minutes.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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The argument spilled onto Wharton Street, where Hennen was accused of slicing the player's neck.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Federal Reserve, in an attempt to shore up a softening labor market, trimmed its benchmark lending rate by a quarter-point three straight times at the end of last year.—
Matt Ott,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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The Black Edition has black all over, including the body, trim, 18-inch alloy wheels, skidplate, and grille—and even black glass, almost, or privacy glass.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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His tent is coming apart at the seams after a December snowstorm ripped through the fabric.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
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Classrooms were lost and routines were shattered when flames ripped through thousands of homes and buildings.—
Amanda Starrantino,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The need to clip the governor’s fiscal wings is urgent.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
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Doing a quick scan of weekly sales, clipping coupons ahead of time and knowing what's in season can also shape smarter choices.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On the day Ujlaky vanished, prosecutors alleged Dickey choked her by wrapping a ligature around her neck before raping her and slashing her throat, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
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The Kings were awarded a power play a minute later when Jacob Bernard-Docker was whistled for slashing, and the visitors didn’t waste the chance.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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