Synonyms of shear

shear

verb

ˈshir 

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

• shave
• cut
• trim
• clip
• mow
• crop
• snip
• bob
• prune
• cut back
• dock
• pare
• lop (off)
• nip
• poll
• pinch
• whittle
• skive
• shorten
• stump
• curtail
• manicure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• elongate
• lengthen

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

• slit
• slice
• rip
• slash
• cut
• pierce
• bruise
• stab
• split
• incise
• gash
• tear
• chop
• cleave
• sever
• crosscut
• scissor
• butcher
• saw
• rend
• carve
• chip
• notch
• dissect
• section
• hacksaw
• chisel
• hack
• lacerate
• rive
• cut off
• mince
• haggle
• mangle
• dice
• anatomize
• amputate

Example Sentences

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