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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
One of my favorite bits in professional sports is when a rookie, or a team of youngsters, pulls off something incredible due to sheer talent and inexperience. Chris Branch, New York Times, 19 May 2025 His sheer oldness undermined all efforts to sell his policies effectively. Charlotte Alter, Time, 19 May 2025
Verb
Decades of despair to sheer delight for Commanders fans: The Washington Commanders will be playing in the NFC championship game next Sunday, one game away from the Super Bowl. Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025 John Fabiano was documenting the working dogs of the country and visited a wool farm during sheering season. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for sheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer
Adjective
  • No matter how meticulous evidence is gathered, its value can diminish without transparent, comprehensive reporting.
    Beth Worthy, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • There is a critical opportunity for brands to lead the charge in redefining value—not by focusing on price tags, but by investing in ethical production, sustainable materials and transparent supply chains.
    Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Trump, for his part, has shown no interest in Palestinian civilian life for its own sake (and has demonstrated utter disdain for domestic pro-Palestinian activists).
    Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 12 May 2025
  • Cricket is not even just fighting against other sports, but also its own with the slew of formats and franchise leagues creating utter confusion amid a congested calendar.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The most significant example has been Apple’s efforts to shore up iPhone production in India in a bid to avoid the steep U.S. tariffs placed on China that are now paused.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • The Lower Gauley in late summer delivers intense Class V action through steep, technical drops.
    West Virginia Tourism, AFAR Media, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • No one deviates, because no one has an incentive to, unless someone changes the underlying payoff structure.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Like Episode 3 of Season 1, Sunday’s installment of the series was the rare episode that deviated from the game’s narrative to tell a deeper story about the characters.
    Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • In her public rhetoric, mostly on social media and right-wing media appearances, Lake has veered between promising to restore the networks to their historic mission and pledging to demolish them.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 22 May 2025
  • However, warm skin tones can veer on the more coral side of the red spectrum, while cool skin tones might find blue-toned reds more flattering.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • There are five shades available—translucent to complexion toned—each packed with a finely mille powder to set makeup without budging.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 23 May 2025
  • That ties in with reports that the software Apple will announce is predicted to have more of the translucent feel of Apple Vision Pro menus.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Here are some of the best words to describe his work: simple, clean, clear, pure and, above all, elegant.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
  • Over the years, the coin's size and composition changed, moving from pure copper to a copper-zinc blend.
    Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Bordering Honduras to the south and Costa Rica to the north, Nicaragua shares aspects of both — mountainous terrain, defined dry and rainy seasons, the threat of hurricanes, and a challenging transportation network.
    Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • The villages in this mountainous landscape are home to a pastoral nomadic community that has lived for generations in close connection with the land.
    Natela Grigalashvili, The Dial, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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