SHEER Synonyms: 198 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sheer' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sheer are abrupt , precipitous , and steep . While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse. // sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

Q: When would 'abrupt' be a good substitute for 'sheer'?

Although the words abrupt and sheer have much in common, abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level. // a beach with an abrupt drop-off

Q: When is 'precipitous' a more appropriate choice than 'sheer'?

The meanings of precipitous and sheer largely overlap; however, precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical. // the river winds through a precipitous gorge

Q: When is it sensible to use 'steep' instead of 'sheer'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sheer , steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult. // a steep hill // a steep dive

sheer 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sheer

as in transparent

very thin and easy to see through we had to get window shades because passersby could see right through our sheer curtains

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions survivors of the earthquake told of experiencing sheer terror

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in steep

having an incline approaching the perpendicular the sheer slopes of the ravine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sheer

2 of 2

verb

ˈshir

as in to deviate

to change one's course or direction the cruise ship sheered to the northwest, putting it safely out of the path of the hurricane

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to veer

to depart abruptly from a straight line or course the car sheered to avoid hitting the dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straighten

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sheer different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sheer are abrupt, precipitous, and steep. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

When would abrupt be a good substitute for sheer?

Although the words abrupt and sheer have much in common, abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

When is precipitous a more appropriate choice than sheer?

The meanings of precipitous and sheer largely overlap; however, precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

When is it sensible to use steep instead of sheer?

While in some cases nearly identical to sheer, steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill

a steep dive

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 sheer

Adjective

Polish artist and designer Sonia Górecka often turns to folklore for her ethereal textile creations, mixing and matching traditional pagan figures and motifs on sheer curtains and colorful hanging jacquard weavings. — Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 Venus spends all month in a supportive sextile with Jupiter, which multiplies your blessings through the sheer force of your support network. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

Verb

The storm also sheered off about nearly two-thirds of the plant smokestack that measured 20 feet across and 225 feet high. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026 Throughout, academic precision gives way to sheer delight over these animals, and their song and flight. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sheer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer

Adjective

What matters is being transparent, listening to employees’ concerns and following through when answers become available.

— Jon Lowe, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Now with Daniela landing in this transparent enclosure with him, this Jason helps plot their escape with the extra ampoules that she’s brought with her.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of transparent

Adjective

But only a handful of souls have ever gone up the treacherous, unforgiving north face — 9,000 steep miles of snow, rock and ice with a gnarly gully given the forbidding name the Hornbein Couloir.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Wall Street suffered a steep day of losses Friday after the latest tech earnings reignited concerns that massive spending on AI may not deliver the returns that investors expect.

— Lucy Bayly, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of steep

Verb

But in Central Asia, far from the empire’s center, local artists sometimes used the mosaics to deviate from the official agenda.

— Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
But over time, due to a variety of systems issues with obtaining certain medications, the lethal injection protocol has deviated from the standard devised by Chapman.

— M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of deviate

Verb

The crash occurred after an SUV veered off the road, ran into a sign and rolled over.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026
The 14-song set list provided a nifty overview of the breadth of her musical influences, veering from mountain music to her key country efforts to her crossover material and to the spiritual themes that invariably informed her work.

— Tom Roland, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of veer

Adjective

As mentioned, this new skin trend takes its name from mochi, a traditional Japanese rice cake treat famous for its bouncy texture, plump appearance, and smooth, slightly translucent surface.

— Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
The upper is constructed of a gray mesh with matching suede overlays and translucent TPU side panels.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of translucent

Adjective

There’s nothing mountainous in the region, and the idea of monumental sculptures coming up out of the landscape is pretty obvious.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 2026
But training to run 68 mountainous miles while living in New York, proved way more challenging.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of mountainous

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sheepskins

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“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of sheer

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verb

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