1
as in shaved
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 sliced
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 sheared
Doctors soon found that the on-field hits had sheared a blood vessel in Bledsoe's chest, which was rapidly filling his body with blood.
—
Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
The $1,850 scarves start with 400 grams of raw cashmere sheared from the undercoat of high-altitude hircus goats.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
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
Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
The $1,850 scarves start with 400 grams of raw cashmere sheared from the undercoat of high-altitude hircus goats.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheared
Verb
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When Landor couldn’t immediately meet the warden’s demand for court documentation of his religious beliefs, he was handcuffed to a chair while his dreadlocks were shaved off.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
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Angel’s Tijuana Tacos started as a single street-stand operation on a North Hollywood sidewalk in 2018, soon gaining a reputation for its simple approach to Tijuana-style tacos, particularly for its stellar al pastor shaved right off the vertical trompo.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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Hase stumbled forward, sliced the ball with her left foot and closed her eyes.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 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
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Southwest Airlines cut about 120 flights Friday.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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As a result of that low demand and a massive decline in sales, producers in the Golden State have ripped out nearly 40,000 acres of vines over the past year, according to a new report from the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG).—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
8 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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Gausman allowed a solo home run to Dodgers catcher Will Smith, and two batters later, he got clipped by third baseman Max Muncy.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Carmakers like Volkswagen warned of possible production risks, while Honda slashed its annual profit forecast after halting production at several plants.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
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The administration also slashed funding for climate science research at agencies like NOAA, NASA, and even USDA.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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United Airlines said its international flights and hub-to-hub operations will not be trimmed.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Was the younger Lincoln a part of material drafted for a lengthier second half of the series that got trimmed?—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ade stood over his bride, deeply concerned, when a lively drum roll pierced the air.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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Consuelos discussed an increase in mosquitos while a buzzing noise pierced the air.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sheared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheared. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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