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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Everyone, even the children, have scars from where the corners of their mouths have been slit up into their cheeks, Joker-style.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
27 Apr. 2025
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There are no marks on the bones directly attributable to a cause of death, Green said, and the Romans typically killed their sacrifices by slitting their throats or through drowning.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The end of Elon Musk’s time at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency is the latest chapter in a long story: Republicans are better at cutting taxes than cutting spending.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2025
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President Joe Biden promoted a suite of policies meant to cut carbon emissions by boosting EV sales.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Calamari Fries At Clever Koi, a modern Asian eatery in Greater Phoenix, calamari steak is sliced into strips, lightly battered in tempura, and flash-fried for a crispy, zesty bite.—
Kaila Yu,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Last year’s series MVP sliced a first-pitch fastball over left fielder Cody Bellinger’s head for a run-scoring double.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The Owls trimmed the lead to 25-20 and got the ball back at their 30 with 32 seconds remaining in the game.—
Bruce Feldman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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While restructuring in the name of efficiency is one way to trim headcount, a negative work environment can also have a direct impact on talent retention.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
30 May 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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Dorothy had her hair done, The Tinman got oiled up, The Scarecrow got brand new straws, and The Cowardly Lion had his mane curled and his claws clipped.—
Debbi Kickham,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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Our top picks Runner-Up: SoulCycle At-Home Bike, $2,500 Shop the best exercise bikes Ready to clip in?—
Sara Coughlin,
SELF,
28 May 2025
Verb
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His college admissions have been the subject of speculation since the Trump administration's Tuesday, May 27, decision to slash all remaining federal funding to the Ivy League institution.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
28 May 2025
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Some Harvard labs, including one working on human organs-on-chips, which replicate the function of organs, have received stop-work orders following the Trump Administration’s efforts to slash funding.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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