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

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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

For her latest stop in the Italian Riviera, the former Spice Girl embraced la dolce vita while continuing her micro bikini parade in a completely sheer floral cover-up. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026 Dean elevated the record to stratospheric heights through the sheer force of her voice. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 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

There’s a red transparent d-pad, plus matching triggers and several clear-red face buttons.

— Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Semi-transparent, a screen door is an invitation, allowing a peek inside.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of transparent

Adjective

In both cases, there is something at once magisterial and leadenly self-regarding about the melancholic rhythms of Cusk’s prose, with its stiff and stately syntax and its utter impatience with the real vagaries of difference.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
The Carolina Panthers played their offensive starters for three series on Saturday, and the result was an utter flop.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of utter

Adjective

Both efforts targeted science and engineering talent, fields where the military has long struggled to fill critical jobs because of steep academic requirements.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
This has led to a shrinking pool of available units at a time when competition is increasingly steep, Zumper found.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of steep

Verb

The fund is mandated by Norway’s Finance Ministry to closely track a benchmark index, with only limited scope to deviate through active management.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
My favorite thing about testing the F-150 Lightning was that the truck didn't deviate from Ford's winning F-Series formula.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of deviate

Verb

However, even on longer drives with the second and third units, the Bills generally veered toward keeping a pass-rushing pair in the game for six-plus snaps at a time.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Instead, in their wake, the league veered far in the other direction, taking the finesse out of the game and turning on-court play into a street fight, with officials unable or unwilling to get their arms round the physicality.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of veer

Adjective

The interactions between Bourdain and Ciro are pure movie magic and that’s due partly to the performances — both actors have to be in the Oscar race — as well as to the screenplay by Johnson, Todd Bartels, Lou Howe and Matthew Miller.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Unauthorized sequels reveal the extremes of why people make movies in the first place, from purely cynical money grabs to pure — even naive — devotion to characters and their world.

— Katie Rife, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of pure

Adjective

The 34 Buddhist temples scattered through the mountainous western part of Japan's Saitama prefecture are revealing something few visitors ever see this year.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Landslides blocked sections of the Trans-Flores Highway, a roughly 700-kilometer (435-mile) road linking communities across the mountainous island.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of mountainous

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sheepskins

sheer

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“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sheer

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verb

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