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
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Recent Examples of shear
The tiny leaves are easily sheared and sculpted into any shape.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025
The military truck towered over the civilian car, its armored plating intact while the SUV's side was sheared in.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Bob had his cheek welded onto the factory plastic, fists gripped to the window frame, all of his pale hair sheared back by the drag.
—Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Both processes require thermal energy to heat the machines and materials and mechanical energy to shear or mix the materials (and, in the case of traditional extrusion, to push them through a die).
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2018
See All Example Sentences for shear
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025
The military truck towered over the civilian car, its armored plating intact while the SUV's side was sheared in.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Bob had his cheek welded onto the factory plastic, fists gripped to the window frame, all of his pale hair sheared back by the drag.
—Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Both processes require thermal energy to heat the machines and materials and mechanical energy to shear or mix the materials (and, in the case of traditional extrusion, to push them through a die).
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2018
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
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Deeper cuts could be a 'stretch' Glendale has already asked residents to shave down their water use after shortages hit the Colorado River.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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And the only questions she's getting asked are about shaving her head.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The killer slit Catherine's throat with a razor so severely that her head was nearly severed before striking them both with an axe, per the Times-Picayune.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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The next morning, when Morse arrived for work, Nicholson stabbed her repeatedly and slit her throat before placing her body inside a large plastic bin in the kitchen pantry, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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An emergency order by the FAA on Thursday said airlines have to cut traffic by 4%, resulting in about 800 flight cancellations for Friday that increased to over 1,000 throughout the day, according to FlightAware.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Southwest Airlines cut about 120 flights Friday.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Remove top and slice into pieces for dipping; set aside.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
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The pizza features new deli-style pepperoni, a three-cheese blend, and signature Italian seasoning, sliced into eight extra-extra-large pieces and delivered in the restaurant's largest box yet.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Add trimmed and halved fresh green beans, and cook for 8 minutes.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Nov. 2025
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How dare this newcomer suggest that the towering maple between their properties be trimmed or cut down?—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Dowdle ripped through those averages by himself, while Hubbard chipped in 17 rushing yards on five carries.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Antetokounmpo grabbed the offensive rebound, but LaVine ripped the ball out of his hands before Antetokounmpo could go up for a putback basket that would have tied the game.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Once Jeopardy's John Pork question was clipped for TikTok, users on the platform argued that the clue wasn't completely accurate, as John Pork appeared on social media as early as 2018, before generative AI was widely accessible.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Nov. 2025
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Melissa went on to tear through Cuba and the Bahamas before clipping Bermuda on its way out to sea.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The biggest test may be in Virginia, which is home to many federal workers impacted by the government shutdown and efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency to slash agencies.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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In the wake of the results, reported late Thursday, several Wall Street firms slashed their price targets.—
Scott Schnipper,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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