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
Relevance
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
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
It can be sheared into a formal hedge or shaped into a ball.
—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2026
Most campanulas get sheared back at some point during the summer to clean up ugly or damaged foliage and encourage another flush of blooms.
—
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
See All Example Sentences for shear
Julie L. Belcove,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026
It can be sheared into a formal hedge or shaped into a ball.
—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2026
Most campanulas get sheared back at some point during the summer to clean up ugly or damaged foliage and encourage another flush of blooms.
—
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
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
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The group — which Microsoft , Nvidia , Alphabet , Apple , Meta , Tesla and Amazon — shaved off roughly $2 trillion in market cap, as investors are starting to reassess the investing case for these once unbeatable mega-caps.
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Make sure to freshly shave your cheese for the best results to snack on mid-festivities.
Verb
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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.
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If it’s baked in a loaf pan, go ahead and slit the top of the batter before baking.
Verb
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The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
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Potential applications beyond wind energy The researchers believe the manufacturing approach could cut production costs for small wind turbines and help more people use lightweight renewable energy technology.
Verb
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Thinly slice the tomatoes themselves for the red addition to the salad, and use the oil for the salad dressing — no need to pull out a bottle of olive oil.
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Warm scacciata, a traditional Sicilian bread, is presented whole and sliced warm to order.
Verb
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Miller’s exact dress from Debute London, which features a bustier top, lace trim, and a short hemline, is a great example of the details that turn the trend more contemporary, while still nodding to its nostalgic, charming nature.
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Mow regularly and trim your edges, since ticks lurk in tall grass and brush.
Verb
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On June 29, workers were seen installing a red carpet on the venue's signature stairs, only to rip it up a short time later.
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Four people died, including a 12-year-old boy, and several others were injured after at least three tornadoes ripped through that corner of the state.
Verb
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At the low end, a dog washing station is a hose, a spray nozzle and somewhere to clip the leash.
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His pass to Luis Romo was perhaps a little short but the midfielder kept his cool, finding Roberto Alvarado, who clipped a gorgeous, inviting pass over the top.
Verb
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The billionaire was an early ally and donor to the president, but left acrimoniously after a four-month stint as a special government employee running the contentious budget-slashing effort known as DOGE.
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Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry has vowed to slash his team’s exorbitant payroll to get below the luxury tax threshold.
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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