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

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 next

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

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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

How is the word sheer different from other adjectives like it?

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

The sheer size of the 150-acre stadium, Aitken said, as well as the baseball team’s running lease on the property, could make those conversations tricky. —

Victoria Le, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026 With such a sheer volume of work coming out, the anime market can get crowded, and its easy for these works to bleed together into a vague blob of gag comedies, action-adventure shows, and sickly-sweet romances. —

Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026

Verb

The serum itself is a gold-yellow shade that looks almost tinted at first, but sheers out once applied. —

Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025 The direct hit from an Iranian missile sheered the front off of a ten-story residential building, killing six people and burying several more under mounds of rubble. —

Nbc News, NBC news, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sheer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer

Adjective

At the district’s first board meeting since the state takeover, parents pressed new leadership on their desire for a transparent board.

— Samuel O’Neal April 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Your practical nature thrives when agreements are transparent, so write down the numbers and keep communication lines open to keep your network strong.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

Definition of transparent

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sheepskins

sheer

sheered

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“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of sheer

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verb

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