1
as in shaves
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 slits
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shears
Verb
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Pro gaming mouse shaves off 24%, packing ultra-light speed and switches that keep up with endless gaming sessions without slowing you down.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025 -
Those varying responses often have an offsetting effect that shaves off the most extreme edges of the group’s volatility.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The episode cuts to black before it is revealed who or what is Paddy's target, but in real life, Arthur lived for decades longer, dying in 1915, per TIME.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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When play crossed Round Swamp Road, the roadway that cuts between Bethpage Black and separates the 14th and 15th holes, this tournament flew into the stratosphere.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And Lutz ultimately slices 42-yard than slams into left upright.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
14 Sep. 2025
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Nominate it as one of America's Top Workplaces But the downward revision of 911,000 jobs over that 12-month period slices those gains in half.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The carry handles each have a magnetic piece that then clips together to form a single bar to grasp.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
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For messing up, Martha clips Gabriel’s wings, forcing him to live life as a human, with a new casual wardrobe to match and a taste for fast food.—
Michael Rechtshaffen,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Never one to give up, Arisu rips a piece of the grid room’s floor from its moorings and uses it to smash into the screen wall separating him from the outside.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
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Schumer rips Trump on a near-daily basis on the Senate floor, accusing the president of being a wannabe dictator and serial liar who puts his own interests and even Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interests ahead of what’s best for the United States.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some popular models that may require mid-grade Plus fuel include some Dodge Charger and Jeep Grand Cherokee trims.—
Charles Singh,
Nashville Tennessean,
23 Sep. 2025
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Skip the pricey groomer visits and messy bathroom trims with this Labor Day deal.—
Jessie Quinn,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Consistency builds trust and slashes audit drag.—
Jagbir Kaur,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Cherry picks up a knife and slashes Laura’s tires on the way out, for good measure.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the footage, Sally leans forward, flips her hair over her face, and snips the ends.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shears. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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