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
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Recent Examples of shear
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
The tiny leaves are easily sheared and sculpted into any shape.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
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
The tiny leaves are easily sheared and sculpted into any shape.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
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The researchers estimated that those who got neither bright days nor dark nights were shaving five years off their lives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
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Shop around and compare offers from at least three lenders, as doing so can shave close to a full percentage point off your rate, and be sure to talk to lenders directly about terms and costs that may not appear online.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
1 June 2026
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If it’s baked in a loaf pan, go ahead and slit the top of the batter before baking.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The current unrest first erupted in May after Paz cut long-standing fuel subsidies to shrink the deficit.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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Some analysts expect Apple could benefit as manufacturers of Android devices cut specs or raise prices.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
Verb
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There is no other way to slice it.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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As lasers sliced through smoke billowing from the stage, frontman Tyrone Lindqvist's silky falsetto floated over a sea of festivalgoers stretching far, far, far beyond the soundboard.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
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Jacob Wilson's two-run single trimmed it to 7-2 in the sixth before the Pirates tacked on five more in the seventh.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Video posted to social media showed the plane on its side and smashed into a highway barrier as the tail was ripped from the fuselage.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
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Perhaps the police ripped it from me that time on Merrion Square.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Pinch-hitter Jose Tabata fouled off a pair of 2-2 pitches before Scherzer clipped him on the elbow with a breaking ball.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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At least some of Mahajan's family managed to jump out safely, but Mahajan was still inside when the carriage clipped another horse carriage and overturned.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Verb
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On his left, slashing toward the box, was Messi and Martinez found him beautifully.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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The moves are part of the effort by the team of new BBC director general Matt Brittin, a former Google top executive, to slash costs across operations and functions.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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