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
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Recent Examples of shear
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
The strike on Saturday sheared the façade off several adjacent apartment blocks and shattered glass for blocks around.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
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
The strike on Saturday sheared the façade off several adjacent apartment blocks and shattered glass for blocks around.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
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But drivers wouldn’t immediately see that full amount shaved off their bills under a suspension.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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Ghia’s take on the XK140 was likely even faster, since its lightweight aluminum body—replacing the standard model’s steel shell—shaved as much as 220 pounds.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Nicholson repeatedly stabbed her and slit her throat before stuffing her into a large plastic bin with her arms and legs sticking out, Porter said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 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 Tempo cut it to three midway through the fourth while Brittany Sykes (27 points, seven assists) sparked Toronto’s rally.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
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Kreutzer cuts clunkily and repeatedly between the ongoing crises in two households, presumably implying that the men in these women’s lives are all tarred with the same patriarchal brush.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Beau Neidhardt slices a Kale Caesar Cutlet hoagie.—
Susan Spencer,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
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Start by slicing one fresh jalapeño into thin rounds.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Cut off and discard the leaves, then remove any brown spots and trim the ends.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
14 May 2026
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The rising cost of fuel and groceries has trimmed their choices to the necessities.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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On May 13, 2011 — 15 years ago to this day — the popular DC show concluded with a fist-pumping final scene where Clark rips open his shirt to display the iconic Superman logo while John Williams' unmistakable score rings like a battle cry.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
13 May 2026
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Ensure the item is in working condition and not damaged, broken, or ripped.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
13 May 2026
Verb
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In multiple cases, other road users struck the autonomous vehicle from behind or clipped it while passing.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
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The Cavs may clip the Pistons in Game 7 on Sunday, even on the road.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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With the center unavailable on Pavel Mintyukov’s first-period slashing penalty against Vegas star Mitch Marner, rookie Tim Washe played with both Killorn and Granlund.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Trump has attacked the Fed and its outgoing chair, Jerome Powell, for refusing to slash rates to boost the economy.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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