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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions
survivors of the earthquake told of experiencing sheer terror
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 2 June 2025
Once inside, Ortega did a quick change, swapping her gray heels for black patent leather T-straps, trading the trench for a layered gray dress, and ditching the sheer stockings for sheer gloves.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 2 June 2025
Andrea Bossi, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Decades of despair to sheer delight for Commanders fans: The Washington Commanders will be playing in the NFC championship game next Sunday, one game away from the Super Bowl.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheer
Adjective
But that proved to be a challenge due to the sheer amount of footage.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 2 June 2025
Once inside, Ortega did a quick change, swapping her gray heels for black patent leather T-straps, trading the trench for a layered gray dress, and ditching the sheer stockings for sheer gloves.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 2 June 2025
Verb
Naked Dressing Naked dressing has been everywhere in recent years, from celebrity red carpet looks to sheer clothes for day-to-day wear.
—Andrea Bossi, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Decades of despair to sheer delight for Commanders fans: The Washington Commanders will be playing in the NFC championship game next Sunday, one game away from the Super Bowl.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer
Adjective
-
Additionally, transparent data systems tracking outcomes—such as income, employment, and attainment by race and parental education—are essential to drive reform.—
Leadership Brainery,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Soliman appeared in court behind a transparent parition where he was asked to shake his head or nod in response to questions.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
But that meeting’s collapse—and, more broadly, the utter failure of sanctions to prevent North Korea from developing its nuclear potential—may prompt him to support Seoul’s push.—
John Delury,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
-
The Civil War, which is jeopardizing his presidency, has turned him into an utter killjoy.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Eight years ago, Hurricane Harvey barreled in off the Gulf of Mexico and lingered, pouring four days of rain over the city of Houston. Unlike North Carolina's steep mountains, Houston is low, barely rising above sea level.—
Laura Sullivan,
NPR,
8 June 2025
-
In contrast, late adopters face higher opportunity costs, slower innovation cycles, and steeper learning curves.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Verb
-
An example might be a SaaS company adding consulting or training services that enhance the core software experience without deviating too far from its expertise.—
Will Fan,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
The spending proposal lawmakers approved, negotiated among the Democratic House and Senate leaders and the governor’s office, deviates from Pritzker’s original plan in certain areas, including funding for elementary and secondary education.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
That allows Connelly more flexibility to add depth to the roster, veering away from the top-heavy construction that is becoming untenable under the new CBA.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
There has been a general sense that Ellie’s character has veered well outside the lines of the source material in The Last of Us season 2.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Adjective
-
Celebs like Hailey Bieber and Anne Hathaway have cosigned on the barely-there nail trend, with Bieber even taking it down to her toes with a totally translucent, fresh summer pedicure.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
3 June 2025
-
The look is finished off with a translucent rubber outsole.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps the truth, however, is that Emmanuel-Thomas, in pure sporting terms, has always been something of a puzzle.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
Vionic Uptown Loafer The Vionic Uptown Loafers look like pure business on the upper, but the sole offers all the comfort and flexibility of a sneaker.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Limpopo, a mountainous province that’s divided from Zimbabwe and Botswana by the Limpopo River, is one of the more underserved parts of South Africa.—
Mary Holland,
Robb Report,
5 June 2025
-
When Neo awakens, we are lost amid mountainous, industrial pods.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share