sheer 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of sheernext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in utter
having no exceptions or restrictions survivors of the earthquake told of experiencing sheer terror

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3
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 How to pronounce sheer (audio)
1
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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2
as in to veer
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course the car sheered to avoid hitting the dog

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
In addition, the sheer number of new projects is overwhelming power system operators’ ability to evaluate them, leading to increasing wait times for new generation to come online. —Erin Baker, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025 The sheer scale of the technology used in the project is awe-inspiring. —Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 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
  1. transparent
  2. utter
  3. steep
  4. deviate
  5. veer
  6. translucent
  7. pure
  8. mountainous
Adjective
  • Plus, Rogen has been transparent about whom this character is based on.
    — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, have a transparent conversation about integrating with core solutions, flexibility and customization, and your roadmap for practical, pragmatic adoption of AI.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of transparent
Adjective
  • In utter disbelief, June responds by getting out of line and following the voice calling her name.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In the name of utter indulgence, soak in your own private hot tub while tucking into one of the Whirlpool Casitas, a good way to loosen up after a day on the links.
    — David Weiss, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of utter
Adjective
  • This gorgeous option has distressed floral medallions that look lived-in for vintage charm, all without a steep price point.
    — Clara McMahon, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The requirements for that are steep and include proving either your parent or grandparent was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of steep
Verb
  • The main function of the yeast deviated from producing good beer to simply being able to survive for an extraordinarily long period of time without its primary food source: barley sugar.
    — Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Even Porziņģis missing time throughout the playoffs didn’t force the Celtics to deviate much from their plan.
    — Jay King, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of deviate
Verb
  • In conversation, de Moraes often veers between jokes and brusque legal assertions.
    — Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Densely plotted and emotional without veering into Shondaland melodrama, The Pitt follows a single 15-hour shift in an emergency department in Pittsburgh, 24 style.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of veer
Adjective
  • The fully autonomous spacecraft offers the most panoramic views of any vehicle of its kind with one-third of the surface area being translucent.
    — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The lobster tails should be translucent when removed from the shells.
    — Fox News Staff, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of translucent
Adjective
  • Booker seems like the top pure guard in this year's draft class, making his overall positional value lower.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Kiper calls him the best pure guard in the draft, a road-grader in the run game.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • In this new evolution phase focused on climate resilience, the city has begun installing sensors in surrounding rural and mountainous areas for early detection of wildfires.
    — Angelica Mari, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The princess grew up going on family vacations to the mountainous region, so the trip was a return for her.
    — Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of mountainous

Browse Nearby Words

sheepskins
sheer
sheered
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Cite this Entry

“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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