1
as in to shave
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
it took almost a week to shear all the wool off the flock of sheep
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to slit
to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)
the shark's razor-sharp teeth sheared the swimmer's flesh right down to the bone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shear
In Lincoln’s time, people in the town would shear their sheep, wash the fleece and card the wool using the mill.
—
Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
The concrete had sheared away and the pipe was rusted through.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix Stepping beyond the practicality of rubber clogs—no thorns in feet or shearing injuries here, Netflix!—Meghan seems to be embracing the wider shift toward slip-on styles.
—Olivia Allen, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025
Sheep are shearing the land under solar panels to benefit two industries
As solar power’s land needs grow, more ranchers are turning to agrivoltaics.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shear
Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
The concrete had sheared away and the pipe was rusted through.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix Stepping beyond the practicality of rubber clogs—no thorns in feet or shearing injuries here, Netflix!—Meghan seems to be embracing the wider shift toward slip-on styles.
—Olivia Allen, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025
Sheep are shearing the land under solar panels to benefit two industries
As solar power’s land needs grow, more ranchers are turning to agrivoltaics.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
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An article published that year by The New York Times notes that Davis shaved the front of her head for the part.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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To begin, researchers tried to mimic sun exposure by shaving the dorsal skin of mice and applying cis-urocanic acid (dissolved in water).—
Jay Kakade
June 03,
New Atlas,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Small borers may be removed by slitting the stem and handpicking them.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2025
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Carefully cut slits into the sponges and slide them onto the ends of the tongs, and voila!—
Amy Brightfield,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Perry’s 10th playoff goal this season cut the Panthers lead to 4-2.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2025
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Other options include raising payroll taxes, cutting benefits for future recipients, or a combination of all three.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Verb
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Making sauerkraut begins with slicing cabbage into fine shreds and mixing it with salt.—
Lauren Manaker MS,
Health,
11 June 2025
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But Ramos-Arce said the brother tried to pull the machete away, and Ramos-Arce sliced his arm in the process, deputies said.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Though the index rebounded shortly after, its gains were trimmed in early 2025 as U.S. President Donald Trump ignited his trade war.—
Zinnia Lee,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Asparagus could be cut, trucked to the plant, trimmed, washed, blanched, packaged, and quick-frozen to -40 degrees Fahrenheit in less than two hours; one was the goal.—
John Seabrook
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
Verb
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That’s one of the reasons why the play’s dialogue feels ripped from recent headlines.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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If your pup is fond of ripping open toys and removing the stuffing, use some of their fur to re-stuff the toy.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Every feather was clipped short; the bullet must have gone the length of the bird’s body cutting feathers and not once drawing blood!—
Percy Brown,
Outdoor Life,
12 June 2025
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First, trim your nails by clipping straight across to create short tips.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Some protesters hurled large chunks of broken concrete at officers, slashed tires and defaced buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
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The obvious problem is there are not enough things to slash to pay for the irresponsible tax cuts and spending included in the bill.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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