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

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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

The idea that top athletes from American football or basketball could simply transition to soccer and dominate is a misconception, as the sport prioritizes agility and creativity over sheer size or power. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 One issue was that Savannah is extremely flat compared to Atlanta; another was the sheer scale of the two cities. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 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

Like many Maine officials, Biddeford mayor Liam LaFountain has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Joan Sebastian Guerrero at the hands of a federal agent.

— Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Several unresolved cases still warrant timely, transparent resolution.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Definition of transparent

Adjective

That marks a steep decline of 74% from the movie's already-poor $37 million debut, a much bigger drop than is typical for a summer superhero film.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 July 2026
In the tourney, Zellers had five goals and three assists in five games and made a steep climb up the depth chart.

— Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026

Definition of steep

Verb

Subaru redesigns its midsize SUV without deviating from winning formula.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Her full-length works often feature people, especially women, holding their ground and deviating from societal expectations, which creates dissonance between their internal and external worlds.

— Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026

Definition of deviate

Verb

Asked whether Louisville native Justin Thomas had shared any local knowledge, Homa said the conversation veered away from course strategy.

— Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
At the time, there was some thought that CNN could win over some of the Fox News audience by veering away from the anti-Trump attitudes.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 July 2026

Definition of veer

Adjective

The achievement shows how OpenAI and other AI firms are heavily investing in pure mathematics as a way to benchmark the technology’s ascent towards reasoning—and the strange directions those efforts often take.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 14 July 2026
There were new artists emerging who were sort of pure electronic artists like Kraftwerk and Gary Numan and so on.

— Peter Larsen, Daily News, 14 July 2026

Definition of pure

Adjective

The result is a chain of polite, yet simultaneously radical buildings with an exciting contour resembling a mountainous landscape – adding ‘bergen’ in De Bergen!

— Bridget Borgobello July 04, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
Road accidents are common in Pakistan because of poor road conditions, inadequate enforcement of traffic laws and unsafe driving practices, particularly in mountainous areas.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 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 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sheer

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verb

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