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
Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 June 2025
Like listening to a song on a repeat, movies that were constantly being replayed on cable channels became ingrained in your consciousness by sheer osmosis.
—Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
Time, 29 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sheer
Adjective
Nel carries herself like a fighter, but behind that is a young woman patching over the cracks of doubt and insecurity with stubbornness and sheer will.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 June 2025
Like listening to a song on a repeat, movies that were constantly being replayed on cable channels became ingrained in your consciousness by sheer osmosis.
—Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
Verb
Control tower at Myanmar airport collapsed Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by the AP show the earthquake toppled the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport as if sheered from its base.
—Time, 29 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer
Adjective
-
Companies can do this by involving employees in the AI design process, being transparent about capabilities, and training staff for new human-centric roles.—
Moin Roberts-Islam,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
After sharing her experience online, many TikTok users praised Linklater for using her social media platform in such a positive way, and others thanked her for being so transparent.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
There won’t be adequate words to describe how much changed in such a short period of time, thanks to Trump’s utter debasement of the office, and the GOP’s decision to follow him down one of the ugliest paths imaginable, all the while abandoning principles, morals, and basic common decency.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
-
Where to watch:Apple TV, Amazon, Fandango at Home. 1. 'Jaws' (1975) The seafaring masterpiece sinks every other shark movie in its utter perfection.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
If that happens, expect a sharp reset in valuations, a spike in bond yields, and a steep correction in the S&P 500.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
California Governor Gavin Newsom faces a steep uphill battle against former Vice President Kamala Harris in a potential 2028 Democratic Presidential Primary matchup, according to a new poll.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
The fatal flight’s initial trajectory in the air is also somewhat typical and does not deviate significantly from the previous seven Air India Flight 171 departures from Ahmedabad, according to historical flight data.—
Mika Gröndahl,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
The image had shown a dessert dramatically deviating from the typical McDonald's serving, yet presented without explanation—leaving much to speculation.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley did not hold back, pointing to Mamdani’s win as proof that the Democratic Party has veered far to the left.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
27 June 2025
-
White and burgundy accents nod to his Bayern Munich kit without veering into overt branding.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
As the first one departs, we’re given a look at its nearly translucent wingspan, a feature often overlooked due to its unique facial features and iconic white fur.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
The source of the light, which shifted from blue to green to a white whose secret ingredient is ultraviolet, sat in the middle of what could have been an alien lantern, with the otherworldly lightbulb supported in a mystifying structure of translucent plastic.—
Madeline Bodin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
As Electrek points out, the E-VO isn't a pure Honda product.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 29,
New Atlas,
29 June 2025
-
Add in the pure creativity and skill of Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat (legit competitors in their own rights, albeit in smaller bodies), and the two-way play of Dylan Larkin and Nate Danielson, and the future forward lineup starts to look pretty balanced.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Traffic was not rerouted, and many motorists along the mountainous route had no choice but to remain in their vehicles overnight.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 June 2025
-
Indonesia — Halmahera's volcanic rainforests This image features the mountainous Halmahera rainforest in Indonesia, revealing complex topography shaped by volcanic forces.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share