1
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
2
as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions
survivors of the earthquake told of experiencing sheer terror
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in steep
having an incline approaching the perpendicular
the sheer slopes of the ravine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to veer
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the car sheered to avoid hitting the dog
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sheer
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2025
The sheer gloss on her lips was given a high-contrast, rust-red outline that matched several shades of her eye shadow, which also included gold and navy blue.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Sep. 2025
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
For instance, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC show the earthquake toppled the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport as if sheered from its base, according to The Associated Press.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheer
Adjective
Kaia Gerber often gravitates towards '50s aesthetics with a flirty twist, as proven by the tea-length Givenchy gown with a sheer lace bodice.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2025
The sheer gloss on her lips was given a high-contrast, rust-red outline that matched several shades of her eye shadow, which also included gold and navy blue.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
Its thin, almost-watery texture delivers an exceptional burst of color, that despite its weight, does not sheer out when blended.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
For instance, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC show the earthquake toppled the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport as if sheered from its base, according to The Associated Press.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer
Adjective
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His office has, without explanation, held up a data project that CDC scientists say would make the agency’s data more transparent.—
Dominique Mosbergen,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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Though a personal topic, experts say that, by and large, politicians do have a duty to be transparent about personal health matters with the public.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For Bear, the new arrangement is great about 99 percent of the time… the only drawback is that Nikki occasionally snaps back into her old self and screams in utter terror for a few seconds, before resuming the love-bombing.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
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Twenty-four years later, the shape of this new work of fiction highlights both the insufficiency of memory, of story, and their utter necessity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Aviation resources and hand crews will play a primary role due to steep, rocky terrain and limited dozer access.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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The district’s disparate parts would be connected largely by two-lane highways cutting through steep slopes of places such as the Modoc National Forest, where nervous drivers must beware of a lack of guardrails.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Uncut Gems star's ensemble deviates from his signature style, which typically includes oversize T-shirts, hoodies and shorts, as well as stylish sneakers.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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The manager did not believe a lineup that had slugged the most home runs in the National League needed to deviate from its identity to finally produce runs with a modicum of consistency.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Their attempts at political discourse often veered toward the group speaking in vague, naïve universalisms.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
4 Sep. 2025
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Prosecutors allege that the driver of the car, Dennis Edward Mitchell III, 31, intentionally veered toward Simoncic and have charged him with capital murder along with other charges.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bamboo Leaf Shoji Designed by Seido Iwata, the first head of Sekiso School of Ikebana, a paper sliding door, called shoji in Japanese, shows the silhouette of bamboo leaves gently swaying outside the window on the translucent washi paper.—
Isabelle Kliger,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Some facilities also use translucent roofs on growing warehouses.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Gerald Genta Minute Repeater A pure minute repeater – without other high watchmaking functions as part of a grand-complication package – is a rare thing.—
Carol Besler,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Invisible pollutants unleashed To simulate real-world conditions, the researchers placed unused masks in beakers of ultra-pure water and left them at room temperature for 24 hours.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The area is a vast, rural, mountainous tract of forests with a political ethos that resembles Texas more than Los Angeles, San Francisco, the state capital of Sacramento, and other liberal Democratic environs.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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Two powerful aftershocks struck eastern Afghanistan 12 hours apart, triggering fears of more deaths and destruction on Friday in a region where earthquakes have killed about 2,200 people as rescuers battled mountainous terrain and harsh weather.—
Mohammad Yunus Yawar,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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