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

Even more unnerving than the sheer volume is how little the impact is understood and accounted for. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 The first worker jumped off a plank onto a nail that pierced his boot, and by sheer chance, passed cleanly between his toes. — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 31 July 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

Some Austin City Council members have released statements on social media calling for a transparent investigation.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Sell the position through concise job descriptions, transparent salary ranges, and highlighting small business advantages like flexibility and impact.

— Rob Falzon, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of transparent

Adjective

Tense football games tend to leave fans in utter distress, but not John Cena.

— Adrianne Reece, InStyle, 28 July 2026
The violence of the newborn micrometeoroid's exile was followed by an epoch of utter silence, as its orbit was subtly influenced by the unseen forces of the solar system.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of utter

Adjective

But the learning curve was steep until new AI tools came along, said Murtaza Ali, a doctoral candidate at the University of Washington whose research focuses on computer science education.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
The gauge still capped a 22% loss for the month, the steepest since the global financial crisis.

— Youkyung Lee, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of steep

Verb

Palm Aire residents Wayne Oken and Richard Hosford say the plan deviates from what was originally promised when the development was first unveiled.

— Joan Murray, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Practicing deviating from our defaults, no matter how mundane, prepares us to deviate again, even in higher stakes contexts.

— Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of deviate

Adjective

The flesh should change from translucent to mostly opaque and flake easily when gently pressed with a fork.

— Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 1 Aug. 2026
Flags sagged in the rain and translucent ponchos billowed in the wind, but the sound of bagpipes and a booming sousaphone kept the crowd moving.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of translucent

Adjective

By producing pure, highly concentrated molecules that mimic the skin’s natural functions, Lewisham claims her products are more consistent, precise and sustainable.

— Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Reese and Styles were this draft’s best athletes, and there were other safeties in this class with better physical attributes, but Downs was the best pure football player in the class.

— Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of pure

Adjective

The men’s Tour was disrupted by wildfires last month, resulting in the route of both the third stage and the final stage being amended and cut short and fans being asked to stay away from the mountainous finish on stage 3.

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
This is what happened in the Big Thompson back in 1976, when slow-moving thunderstorms dumped copious amounts of rain over mountainous terrain.

— Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of mountainous

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sheepskins

sheer

sheered

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“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sheer

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