shear

verb

ˈshir How to pronounce shear (audio)
Definition of shearnext
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 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 shear 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 Drivers who came upon the burning plane, which was nearly sheared in half and tipped on its side, captured dramatic rescue scenes on video or rushed toward the aircraft on foot to help. — CBS News, 17 June 2026 Harryson says to avoid shearing the entire plant into a tight mound, cutting into the crown, removing emerging spring shoots, and pruning too early. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 16 June 2026 In that 1964 work, Ono sat still on a stage, a pair of scissors beside her, as audience members took turns shearing her clothing. — Julie L. Belcove, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
  1. shave
  2. slit
  3. cut
  4. slice
  5. trim
  6. rip
  7. clip
  8. slash
Verb
  • Company demo footage also shows the reverse gear doubling as a cleanup tool, letting the mower retrace a path to shave down long grass more than twice its own height.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 July 2026
  • That pattern is your case for a warranty claim — not a reason to shave more aggressively.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • They’re designed with a sleek flat front, a mid-rise elastic waistband, a slightly loose leg opening, and small side slits for a comfortable, relaxed fit.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
  • Before police took him into custody, Tran slit his wrists, cut his neck and poked the blade into his stomach, but all of the wounds were superficial.
    — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
Definition of slit
Verb
  • Germany’s biggest automaker is planning a massive restructuring and cost-cutting program in response to intensifying competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers and higher tariffs on its exports to the United States.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • The formidable shadow pool, cut by black liquid liner, was juxtaposed with light brown brows and bubblegum blush on the apples of her cheeks.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • The scramble for capacity is already spilling into the capital markets, where the risk gets sliced up and sold to investors as catastrophe bonds.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Refrigerate the pie for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2026
Definition of slice
Verb
  • This is not the type of trimming that other franchises in the same payroll stratosphere have undergone in recent seasons.
    — Fred Katz, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Higher jet fuel costs lead to costlier flights Since the war began, airlines have responded to the jump in fuel costs by raising fares and add-on fees, and trimming flights or routes that are no longer profitable at higher fuel prices.
    — Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 24 July 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • It was forecast to gradually strengthen and the hurricane center said that ocean swells generated by Fausto were spreading along the Baja California coast and likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip tides.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • But such agreements show that Udio could have licensed Sony’s tracks instead of allegedly ripping them from YouTube, the label claimed.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 22 July 2026
Definition of rip
Verb
  • While clipping boosts awareness, tracking direct conversions remains a challenge, and both methods face disclosure risks, echoing past regulatory issues.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Clip Tech’s success reflects Amirzadeh’s ability to build products simple enough for anyone to use, and a track record of predicting where the clipping industry is heading.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of clip
Verb
  • Following the British Grand Prix weekend, Antonelli found his lead slashed to only 25 points over his teammate George Russell, who built on his second-place finish in Barcelona and his victory in Spielberg with a P2 on home turf at Silverstone.
    — Yara Elshebiny, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • One such example is his launching of the pharmaceutical company Cost Plus Drugs in 2022, which is able to slash the cost of prescription medications by selling mostly generic products without the typical middlemen of Pharmacy Benefit Managers.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 July 2026
Definition of slash

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Cite this Entry

“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shear

Nglish: Translation of shear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shear

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