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
The communications pole that was sheared in the April 2025 crash that left 19-year-old Preston Obeidin dead near Temecula.
—
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Either shear the whole plant by a third or selectively cut withered flowers and leggy stems.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
When money is received, the group works with wildlife managers if a location needs to be sheared, burned or bulldozed.
—Andrew Weeks, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
That increases a rising air motion that tends to drop shearing winds over the Atlantic that can disrupt the structure of tropical cyclones.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Either shear the whole plant by a third or selectively cut withered flowers and leggy stems.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 14 Apr. 2026
When money is received, the group works with wildlife managers if a location needs to be sheared, burned or bulldozed.
—Andrew Weeks, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026
That increases a rising air motion that tends to drop shearing winds over the Atlantic that can disrupt the structure of tropical cyclones.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
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The discovery emerged from a quarry where commercial crews routinely shave away layers of rock, exposing relics hidden for millions of years.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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In October, the feds announced a sweeping investigation into NBA point-shaving rings tied to the mafia.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
8 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 moment came in the 73rd minute with a goal from Mauricio to cut the US advantage to 3-1.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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Simpson robbed Adell of a homer in the eighth to keep the Rays within two, and Aranda cut it to 4-3 with a two-out single off Farris before Zeferjahn finished.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Verb
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English Cucumbers English cucumbers, also known as greenhouse, European, or seedless cucumbers, are a type of slicing cucumber known for their softer seeds and thinner skin, which is why they're wrapped in plastic when sold at supermarkets.—
Susan Hall Mahon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
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This is because the main enemies in this game look to be large chitinous alien monsters, which your titular Gundam can slice into tiny pieces.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The Spurs outlasted New York 115-111 in Game 3, trimming the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1 entering Wednesday’s Game 4.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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Following a Game 3 loss that trimmed the Knicks' series lead to 2-1, a steady drumbeat of self-criticism emerged from the team's remarks.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Shayne Gostisbehere ripped a shot on goal, and after Hart made the save, Staal was first to find the puck and a clear shot right in front of the goal.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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Others threw glass objects at people and ripped bus signs and trees out of the ground.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The cyclist swerved to avoid the door but still clipped it and was thrown to the street, sources said.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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Dull blades, by contrast, tear the grass blades and make a mess of clipping distribution.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Deleon had at least seven prior arrests, including a 2022 case in which he was accused of slashing a man in the neck.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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Residents have offered several suggestions for cuts, including reducing pensions, slashing commissioners' salaries in half, cutting the city manager's salary, eliminating staff redundancy, getting rid of take-home cars, and pausing park upgrades without public input.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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