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
Bob had his cheek welded onto the factory plastic, fists gripped to the window frame, all of his pale hair sheared back by the drag.
—
Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
But instead of having a swath of fabric across its midsection, the sheep in the Brooks Brothers x Prince collaboration graphic is pictured holding a racquet and tennis ball, getting ready to serve, and looks much happier than the downtrodden lamb in the original logo waiting to be sheared.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Trump had proposed shearing 18.3% off HUD’s budget during his first stint in office.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025
Both processes require thermal energy to heat the machines and materials and mechanical energy to shear or mix the materials (and, in the case of traditional extrusion, to push them through a die).
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2018
See All Example Sentences for shear
Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
But instead of having a swath of fabric across its midsection, the sheep in the Brooks Brothers x Prince collaboration graphic is pictured holding a racquet and tennis ball, getting ready to serve, and looks much happier than the downtrodden lamb in the original logo waiting to be sheared.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Trump had proposed shearing 18.3% off HUD’s budget during his first stint in office.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2025
Both processes require thermal energy to heat the machines and materials and mechanical energy to shear or mix the materials (and, in the case of traditional extrusion, to push them through a die).
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2018
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
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Analysts estimate the shutdown is shaving billions off the gross domestic product each week and has left around 803,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay—many of them lower-wage employees.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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The shot clock, normally at 24 seconds in a real game, is shaved to five.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Someone slit his throat and bashed him over the head in Skulls Rainbow Room, which sits in Printers Alley, one of the most popular destinations in Nashville.—
Keith Sharon,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Oct. 2025
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When Rochelle Luna, 18, arrived at the house hours later, Djerf bound, gagged and raped her before stabbing her and slitting her throat, court records said.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Timberview had cut the lead to 32-22 but couldn’t stop the Jaguars’ rushing attack.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Oct. 2025
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The Philippine Fault Zone, which cuts across the archipelago, is one of many active faults responsible for significant seismic events.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cover the steak and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes before slicing.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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The light cycles leave trails of light behind them that can block or slice other vehicles, and at one point, Ares’ cycle drives right down the middle of a cop car, cutting it in half.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, costume designer Colleen Atwood trimmed the look into shorts to echo the iconic ensemble Garland sports in one of her most famous numbers.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
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Gray showed us how to trim the seaweed with scissors and harvest only a third, so the plant can regrow.—
Heather Richardson,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ashby then ripped another heater, this one down and away at the very edge of the zone.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Plus, Magneto ripped out all the adamantium from Wolverine’s body in the penultimate episode, so there’s lots to explore in Season 2.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Keep your toenails clipped and short.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
10 Oct. 2025
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However, as the pack barrelled into Turn 10, Russell slammed into the barriers after clipping the inside wall approaching the corner.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Milei has slashed government spending, cut regulations and fired tens of thousands of public-sector workers since taking office in 2023.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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But the power play struck gold in the second period, starting with Zach Bogosian drawing a slashing minor.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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