Synonyms of sheer

sheer 1 of 2

adjective

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

• transparent
• translucent
• diaphanous
• gauzy
• gossamer
• filmy
• see-through
• crystal
• fragile
• cobwebby
• clear
• delicate
• gauzelike
• liquid
• gossamery
• crystalline
• limpid
• flimsy
• lucent
• pellucid
• peekaboo
• lucid
• insubstantial
• unsubstantial
• dainty
• frail
• colorless
• uncolored

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opaque
• nebulous
• smoky
• misty
• hazy
• murky
• foggy
• cloudy
• dull
• drab
• lackluster
• smokey
• lusterless

2

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions

survivors of the earthquake told of experiencing sheer terror

Synonyms & Similar Words

• utter
• pure
• absolute
• total
• unconditional
• complete
• simple
• definite
• outright
• damn
• very
• perfect
• real
• damned
• endless
• unmitigated
• profound
• unadulterated
• deadly
• huge
• constant
• stark
• downright
• dreadful
• categorical
• thorough
• thoroughgoing
• regular
• crashing
• consummate
• genuine
• perpetual
• fair
• unqualified
• blank
• out-and-out
• extreme
• unalloyed
• flat-out
• plumb
• all-out
• eternal
• horrible
• straight-out
• terrible
• rank
• arrant
• clean
• categoric
• blooming
• bodacious
• dead
• flat
• stone
• unremitting
• veritable
• supreme
• extraordinary
• undying
• classic
• unrestricted
• authentic
• hopeless
• main
• terrific
• habitual
• superlative
• inveterate
• confirmed
• frightful
• surpassing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• doubtful
• questionable
• restricted
• dubious
• qualified
• equivocal

3

as in steep

having an incline approaching the perpendicular

the sheer slopes of the ravine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steep
• mountainous
• vertical
• precipitous
• abrupt
• sloped
• bold
• perpendicular
• craggy
• plumb
• tilted
• scarped
• hilly
• angled
• straight
• tipped
• slanted
• heeled
• hillocky
• cocked
• listed
• inclined
• canted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• soft
• moderate
• gradual
• gentle
• level
• smooth
• horizontal
• flat
• even
• flush
• unruffled
• plane
• unwrinkled

sheer

2 of 2

verb

ˈshir 

1

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

• deviate
• turn
• swing
• turn off
• veer
• wheel
• diverge
• detour
• swerve
• tack
• double (back)
• turn back
• zigzag

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

• veer
• curve
• cut
• bow
• circle
• turn
• swerve
• zig
• arch
• zag
• sweep
• break
• skew
• yaw
• weave
• wander
• twist
• curl
• slew
• bend
• round
• arc
• wind
• spiral
• wheel
• slue
• pivot
• hook
• loop
• zigzag
• crook
• stray
• coil
• waver
• deviate
• about-face

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

Recent Examples of sheer

Adjective

Renée Zellweger wore a sheer blouse with her coat and slacks at the Saint Laurent show. —Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

The Los Angeles Dodgers tried to solve for baseball’s quarter-century-long repeat title drought with the sheer force of cash. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

Verb

Minutes after clearing the dock, the vessel's three 147-foot (44.8-meter) masts were sheered by the underside of the bridge, Reuters reported, knocking several naval cadets off its crossbeams. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

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