1
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
2
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
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Recent Examples of shearing
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
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 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
Plus, shearing the plants will encourage them to rebloom.
—
Michelle Darrisaw,
Southern Living,
1 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
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
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 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
Plus, shearing the plants will encourage them to rebloom.
—
Michelle Darrisaw,
Southern Living,
1 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
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Right now, Amazon has it on sale for 33% off, sending the price tag below $100 and shaving $50 off.
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Borrowers with strong credit may be able to qualify for a rate below that threshold, and shaving even half a point off your rate can add meaningful room to your price ceiling.
Verb
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Designed for slicing everything from soft brie to firm cheddar, each piece has a purpose.
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As consumers looked for other low-cost substitutes, prices rose for other types of slicing tomatoes and cherry tomatoes.
Verb
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The interim agreement to end the Iran war has already reopened the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed, cutting the global economy off from significant supplies of oil and natural gas.
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But after the cost-cutting trade of Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia, the depth chart for the edge rusher spots is thin.
Verb
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The prosecutor said Tran tried to take his own life by slitting a wrist, cutting his neck and poking a blade into his stomach.
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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.
Verb
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Crews are focusing on the 15 feet along the roadsides, trimming trees that are still alive to help prevent fire from laddering into the crowns and removing dead trees.
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While some varieties will rebloom without deadheading, trimming fading flowers keeps the flower bed from looking tired.
Verb
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One-touch passing, feinting and ripping hard shots into a tattered net, each is super-charged by vivid daydreams of glory on the international stage.
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In the 67th minute, Bosnia and Herzegovina had a golden chance with Amar Dedić ripping a shot from the far center, but it's blocked by Swiss goalkeeper Kobel.
Verb
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The plane crashed on the road, clipping a car and breaking apart.
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Allbirds is clipping its wings — again.
Verb
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Top brands are slashing prices on laptops and tablets, with discounts on favorites like Apple AirTags.
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While the marketplace’s official sale starts on June 23, some brands are already slashing prices, including Avidlove.
Cite this Entry
“Shearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shearing. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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