SHEARED Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

sheared

verb

Definition of sheared

past tense of shear

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

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

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 sheared If conditions are dry, the foliage will begin to yellow and can be sheared to the crown. — Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 22 Sep. 2026 Once inside, they’re restrained, sometimes blindfolded to preserve their sanity, and carefully sheared before being released. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2026 The impact sheared the pole and caused the vehicle to catch fire. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Cotton/polyester fleece are brushed, sheared and sueded for a buttery soft hand feel. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 28 July 2026 The force of the crash sheared the seatbelt Miller was wearing, and he was thrown from the vehicle. — Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Second, victims of higher taxes don’t stand still and get sheared like obedient sheep. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 With the jet tipped on its side and nearly sheared in half, several people managed to climb out it while a firefighter using a small ladder rescued the last remaining passenger who appeared to be unconscious. — ABC News, 17 June 2026 It can be sheared into a formal hedge or shaped into a ball. — Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheared

Verb

With his head shaved and his chest usually bared, Yousuke Yukimatsu melds body and machine to choreograph intensely physical sonic marathons.

— Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Cook, when his head is not shaved as in his prison mugshot, has red hair.

— Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of shaved

Verb

After the break, Croatia's defense was sliced open again on a quick break and Elliot Anderson curled in a cross from the right and Kane slid in at the back post for a poacher's finish.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
My plastic fork sliced right through the fluffy, dessert-like dish after topping it off with some syrup, and the taste wasn’t too far off from the ones back home.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of sliced

Verb

For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Staff cut raw chicken and then proceeded to cut lamb without washing, rinsing and sanitizing cutting boards and prep tables.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

Explosives ripped through the old bridge, sending it crashing into the Mississippi River as cheers rose from the crowd.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
So did trees—the Levitts ripped them out to ease the work of building crews (and then planted saplings after the homes were built).

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of ripped

Verb

The league, facing the possibility of attendance at a Tottenham game slipping under 60,000 for the first time, recently slashed remaining tickets down to 79 pounds ($105) — its lowest 2026 category — including for some high-end seats.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
One dog, Bruce, whose neck was slashed by his owner, spent seven months at the shelter as investigators sought charges, trembling in his kennel and looking scared, according to visitors.

— Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of slashed

Verb

Throw on an oversize black pantsuit, add a filament-thin chain at the waist and let your untucked shirt, trimmed with a random assortment of little baubles, peek out at the bottom.

— Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Ng trimmed his price target to $140 per share from $144, but said Disney is too compelling to ignore at current levels.

— Michael Bloom, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of trimmed

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“Sheared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheared. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sheared

verb

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