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sheer

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verb

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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

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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
This movement is not guided by belief in safety, nor by the illusion of care, but by the sheer instinct to continue. Alaa Alqaisi august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025 The supercomputer, named Colossus, consisted of a staggering 230,000 Nvidia GPUs, a sheer training power that allowed Musk to vault past his competitors in key benchmarks. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 13 Aug. 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
  • Be transparent – be open about your financial journey by sharing your goals, celebrating your wins, and reflecting on the lessons learned along the way.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Kennedy is right to scrutinize the potential overreach of the pharmaceutical industry, and to ensure their research and development is ethical and transparent.
    Simon Williams, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Amid all the looming consciousness that our time on earth is precious, there are also specials unerringly devoted to utter stupidity, and even the comedians fixated on mortality are delivering life-affirming material, too.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
  • At my worst, there was utter loneliness and anhedonia.
    Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Even if a cold spell follows warm weather, if the temperature has already been stabilized at 58 to 60 degrees those same steep banks and dams on the downwind shore are spots to bet on.
    Anthony A. Ciuffa, Outdoor Life, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Failure to comply can carry steep penalties, with fines ranging from thousands to millions of dollars.
    Sagi Eliyahu, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Smith is not deviating from the plan set by his predecessor.
    Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Jack Carr — co-creator of the Amazon Prime Video series and author of the books it’s based on — revealed that The Terminal List 2 will deviate from the plot of his second novel True Believer, a stark difference from the first season.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Every now and then the bright lights of gas stations and truck stops veered into view, signaling food, rest, a break from the grey monotony of the highway.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
  • With more than 1 million people on the podcast’s YouTube channel, the conversation veered between Swift’s discussion of her new album, her journey to becoming a football fan and a closer look inside her relationship with Kelce.
    H. Vanbiber, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • My undereye skin has become thinner and more translucent, and covering dark shadows and redness around the eyes without leaving a cakey or dusty texture is tricky.
    Erica Metzger, Allure, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Cook, picking up any browned bits from bottom of Dutch oven using a wooden spoon, until mixture sputters, releases its water, and then cooks off and sizzles and onion is translucent, about 10 minutes.
    John T. Edge, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Adeleye was outclassed from a pure boxing standpoint, but his heart was on display.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The shot was clean with a bold recovery, just like a pure Mickelson moment.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The Canyon Fire is burning in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles and has been spreading toward the community of Castaic in L.A. County.
    Denise Chow, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Dry and hot conditions, with temperatures climbing above 100 degrees, in mountainous terrain make containing the blaze difficult for thousands of firefighters responding to the area, according to Ruggiero.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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