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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
At their outdoor ceremony, Steinfeld wore a white strapless wedding gown, a tulle veil and sheer opera gloves. Charna Flam, People.com, 11 June 2025 She was adorned in mixed metals (by Alexis Bittar), pedicure-covering Schutz heels, and sheer elbow-length gloves that allowed for her classic french tip nails to peek through, sparing no detail. Cierra Black, Essence, 11 June 2025
Verb
Naked Dressing Naked dressing has been everywhere in recent years, from celebrity red carpet looks to sheer clothes for day-to-day wear. Andrea Bossi, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for sheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer
Adjective
  • Additionally, transparent data systems tracking outcomes—such as income, employment, and attainment by race and parental education—are essential to drive reform.
    Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • The Fifty Shades of Grey actress wore a bodysuit underneath the transparent dress, with a surplice neckline and pleated hem.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Civil War, which is jeopardizing his presidency, has turned him into an utter killjoy.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
  • But that meeting’s collapse—and, more broadly, the utter failure of sanctions to prevent North Korea from developing its nuclear potential—may prompt him to support Seoul’s push.
    John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • In contrast, late adopters face higher opportunity costs, slower innovation cycles, and steeper learning curves.
    Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • Eight years ago, Hurricane Harvey barreled in off the Gulf of Mexico and lingered, pouring four days of rain over the city of Houston. Unlike North Carolina's steep mountains, Houston is low, barely rising above sea level.
    Laura Sullivan, NPR, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • An example might be a SaaS company adding consulting or training services that enhance the core software experience without deviating too far from its expertise.
    Will Fan, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The spending proposal lawmakers approved, negotiated among the Democratic House and Senate leaders and the governor’s office, deviates from Pritzker’s original plan in certain areas, including funding for elementary and secondary education.
    Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • Those bourbons are very good, and sometimes great, but the older expressions tend to veer into overly oaky territory.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 June 2025
  • Most forecasts show the storm veering west, although some land impacts are expected.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Celebs like Hailey Bieber and Anne Hathaway have cosigned on the barely-there nail trend, with Bieber even taking it down to her toes with a totally translucent, fresh summer pedicure.
    Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 3 June 2025
  • The look is finished off with a translucent rubber outsole.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps the truth, however, is that Emmanuel-Thomas, in pure sporting terms, has always been something of a puzzle.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Vionic Uptown Loafer The Vionic Uptown Loafers look like pure business on the upper, but the sole offers all the comfort and flexibility of a sneaker.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Limpopo, a mountainous province that’s divided from Zimbabwe and Botswana by the Limpopo River, is one of the more underserved parts of South Africa.
    Mary Holland, Robb Report, 5 June 2025
  • When Neo awakens, we are lost amid mountainous, industrial pods.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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