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
Anchusa plants look better and self-seed less if sheared back after flowering.
—
Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Up next was pineapple, its spikes thoughtfully sheared smooth and cut into spears.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
The tiny leaves are easily sheared and sculpted into any shape.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
The communications pole that was sheared in the April 2025 crash that left 19-year-old Preston Obeidin dead near Temecula.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
When money is received, the group works with wildlife managers if a location needs to be sheared, burned or bulldozed.
—Andrew Weeks, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
The strike on Saturday sheared the façade off several adjacent apartment blocks and shattered glass for blocks around.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Footage from Israel's emergency service showed a large crater next to what appeared to be apartment buildings with outer walls sheared away.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
As the continents sheared and twisted unevenly, local forces squeezed together thin ribbons of crust and popped them up like geological meerkats, isolating and slicing them off.
—Evan Howell, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
Up next was pineapple, its spikes thoughtfully sheared smooth and cut into spears.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
The tiny leaves are easily sheared and sculpted into any shape.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
The communications pole that was sheared in the April 2025 crash that left 19-year-old Preston Obeidin dead near Temecula.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
When money is received, the group works with wildlife managers if a location needs to be sheared, burned or bulldozed.
—Andrew Weeks, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
The strike on Saturday sheared the façade off several adjacent apartment blocks and shattered glass for blocks around.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Footage from Israel's emergency service showed a large crater next to what appeared to be apartment buildings with outer walls sheared away.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
As the continents sheared and twisted unevenly, local forces squeezed together thin ribbons of crust and popped them up like geological meerkats, isolating and slicing them off.
—Evan Howell, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheared
Verb
-
But drivers wouldn’t immediately see that full amount shaved off their bills under a suspension.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Ghia’s take on the XK140 was likely even faster, since its lightweight aluminum body—replacing the standard model’s steel shell—shaved as much as 220 pounds.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The alerted products come in various weight packages packed or sliced in retail delis.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
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The ingredient list included oranges, red cabbage, almonds, wonton crisps, and sliced chicken nuggets on a bed of lettuce drizzled with Honey Sesame Dressing.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The Tempo cut it to three midway through the fourth while Brittany Sykes (27 points, seven assists) sparked Toronto’s rally.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
-
Kreutzer cuts clunkily and repeatedly between the ongoing crises in two households, presumably implying that the men in these women’s lives are all tarred with the same patriarchal brush.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, male athletes get ripped to shreds 24/7 on television, radio, podcasts and social media without anyone questioning whether the existence of criticism itself is harmful to the sport.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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Ensure the item is in working condition and not damaged, broken, or ripped.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Groenewegen is something like the 10th man down, landing heavily on his shoulder, still clipped into his pedals.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
-
The attack was limited by the fact that the revolver only held 5 bullets and had to be reloaded one bullet at a time, as opposed to assault rifles that often have large detachable magazines that can be clipped in and out rapidly.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Those numbers were slashed on May 1 due to work restrictions, leaving more than 100,000 people without reliable food access.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
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Maryland officials slashed $126 million this spring from programs serving people with developmental disabilities, with much of the impact falling on families like Gonce’s.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The strap can be trimmed for a custom fit on smaller dogs or puppies.—
Rachel Cortez,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
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Then, move on to the next one, repeating the process until all nails have been trimmed.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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In a hall occasionally pierced by air-raid sirens warning of Russian strikes, the event has united Ukraine’s most prominent galleries, artists, collectors, and cultural institutions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
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Steve died in September 2006 after a stingray's tail pierced his chest and caused a fatal injury to his heart while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef, when Robert was 2 years old.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sheared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheared. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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