SHEARING Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

shearing

verb

present participle of shear

as in shaving

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

as in slicing

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of shearing As a member of the mint family, horehound has the tendency to spread aggressively, but this can be prevented by shearing the inconspicuous flowers, which is also done to expose the evergreen foliage. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026 Cut individual branches rather than shearing the shrub like a hedge. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026 The fledgling storm was affected by shearing winds that forecasters expected to prevent it from building into the kind of hurricane that can sometimes quickly develop in the Gulf just offshore. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 July 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 The plants bloom in late spring and early summer and can be encouraged to bloom again by shearing the plants back by two-thirds after the first flowers fade. — Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026 Sophomore Joe Teter enjoyed the honor of shearing Dunckel’s head. — Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025 The video shows the Amazon drone shearing the wire line. — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shearing

Verb

Men in some communities stop shaving, while women may remove their jewelry.

— Shushan Karapetian, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
Like almost winning a race, almost shaving a second off my time for the 3200m run, my event in high school, the one that got me into college, a recruit for someone else to gamble on.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of shaving

Verb

The plans were developed by the Department of Government Efficiency, a cost-cutting team initially overseen by billionaire Elon Musk, in response to a presidential order meant to rid the government of DEI programs.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Following its 2015 merger, the company adopted an aggressive cost-cutting mandate that leadership reported hitting, quarter after quarter, ahead of schedule.

— Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of cutting

Verb

The prosecutor said Tran tried to take his own life by slitting a wrist, cutting his neck and poking a blade into his stomach.

— Sean Emery, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
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

Definition of slitting

Verb

The Legislature has been trimming home building regulations and should continue.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
During the winter holidays, millions of people are traveling, many of whom are expected at the Thanksgiving table or tree-trimming party.

— Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of trimming

Verb

Other aircraft may go on to fly for other airlines, with potential carriers ripping out Spirit's tight 28-inch seat pitch for something roomier.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Instead, her attackers started ripping her gear off her body – her camera bag, her lenses, her pouch containing her American passport, credit cards, documents and other items.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of ripping

Verb

Later that summer, having turned professional, Russell qualified for her first World Championships but crashed out at the semifinals after clipping the second hurdle.

— Fraser Godden, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
The community is highly deferential to Fuentes, O’Brian says, eager to gain his favor by clipping and posting moments from his show or attacking his critics online.

— Nathan Taylor Pemberton, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of clipping

Verb

In 2023, the company imposed a $10 price hike in high-demand areas, bringing the fee to $120 per month, while slashing costs in areas with ample capacity.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026
The government is also negotiating next year's budget with parliament, with an aim of slashing spending to bring down the country's deficit.

— Sean Conlon,Justina Lee,Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of slashing

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“Shearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shearing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of shearing

verb

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