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 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 This easy-care hedge requires shearing only once a year to maintain its shape. — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 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 The film reunited him with Morrison, who played the head of a sheep-shearing family business in northeastern New Zealand in the 1950s. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shearing

Verb

Try roasting it with olive oil and salt, sautéing it and adding it to a pasta or grain bowl, or shaving it with a vegetable peeler and adding the raw strips to a salad for some crunch.

— Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 20 July 2026
And while the results last much longer than shaving, each session typically takes more time, especially when treating larger areas like the legs.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 17 July 2026

Definition of shaving

Verb

In an Instagram Story shared on her official page, the Duchess of Sussex could be seen slicing strawberries into heart shapes and arranging them on a red swirl bagel with a pink spread.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Luis Rengifo followed by slicing a slider that was barely above his ankles into right-center field to drive in two runs before Machado struck out.

— Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2026

Definition of slicing

Verb

Germany’s biggest automaker is planning a massive restructuring and cost-cutting program in response to intensifying competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers and higher tariffs on its exports to the United States.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
This past winter, Madison lawmakers shot down a budget proposal that would have paid for a body camera program by cutting funds to the monitor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 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

This video shows firefighters battling fierce flames ripping through vegetation, propelled, in part, by strong gusts of wind.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Nu Jazz put the effort in to really get underneath all these sounds, ripping out their guts and figuring out how to jam with the entrails.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026

Definition of ripping

Verb

Miller said his dad used to sit in his firehouse, clipping newspaper stories on dark matter and black holes to send to his son.

— Lisa Song, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
For your cooking needs, harvest a couple of sprigs at any point during the growing season by clipping away a few branches.

— Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 2026

Definition of clipping

Verb

Hochul is speeding public sector hiring to provide government services more effectively, while Mamdani is slashing red tape for small businesses to help working people thrive.

— Ryder Kessler, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
Related Articles Now, Adidas is getting ready to turn its attention to fall, but not before slashing prices on some of its top footwear, clothing and accessories online.

— Tim Chan, Footwear News, 25 July 2026

Definition of slashing

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“Shearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shearing. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of shearing

verb

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