shear

verb

ˈshir How to pronounce shear (audio)
Definition of shearnext
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

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 shear This easy-care hedge requires shearing only once a year to maintain its shape. — Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 13 July 2026 Second, victims of higher taxes don’t stand still and get sheared like obedient sheep. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 With the jet tipped on its side and nearly sheared in half, several people managed to climb out it while a firefighter using a small ladder rescued the last remaining passenger who appeared to be unconscious. — ABC News, 17 June 2026 Harryson says to avoid shearing the entire plant into a tight mound, cutting into the crown, removing emerging spring shoots, and pruning too early. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
  1. shave
  2. slit
  3. cut
  4. slice
  5. trim
  6. rip
  7. clip
  8. slash
Verb
  • Centering consumer protection In 2020, a ghost candidate scheme that helped unseat Rodriguez relied on paying candidates to run who had no plans to win but could shave votes from Democratic candidates.
    — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • At 25, England cricketer Chris Lewis experienced an even more direct consequence after team-mate Devon Malcolm shaved his head during England’s 1994 West Indies tour to raise money for Children in Need.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • Instead Justine shows up to slit his throat and take the baby from him, leaving him for dead; the child winds up disappearing with Holtz into a hell dimension.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In 2014 and 2017, there were very violent protests; people were burned alive, motorcyclists had their throats slit, health centers were set on fire, schools were set on fire.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 30 July 2026
Definition of slit
Verb
  • The threat of shortages pushed countries across Asia to impose export bans, cut import duties, and start rationing fuel to maintain supplies.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike the heavy smoky eyes and cut creases of the 2010s, this trend is throwing it back to the 1990s when smoky eyes were more minimalist.
    — Elle Turner, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • The Himalayan landmass, where last week’s deadly flooding in Nepal and China took place, rises from shifting fault lines and is sliced by mighty rivers that are fed by glaciers.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Highland senior defensive end Jace Harris sliced into the backfield to make a tackle for a loss during the first series against visiting Whiting on Friday.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of slice
Verb
  • Consequently, markets have already trimmed their Fed rate hike expectations.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Drapery panels in Jim Thompson’s Choisya, trimmed in Samuel & Sons, frame the couple’s vintage breakfront, which keeps Khouri’s Royal Crown Derby china within reach.
    — Caroline Randall Williams, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • But simply ripping out the algorithm isn’t necessarily the answer.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • After Jeremy Pena singled, Alvarez ripped a low-inside sinker to the warning track in right-center for a 7-6 lead.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rip
Verb
  • His rhythm is clipped instead of musical, and Truman chooses to emphasize the words of his speech without emotion.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
  • On lap 36 of 147, Team Penske's David Malukas, who qualified in the top 6, was making his way through the final corner but appeared to clip the inside wall of the Washington, DC street circuit.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of clip
Verb
  • Labor Department revisions slashed another 103,000 jobs from May and June payrolls.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Trump doubled down on that irresponsible strategy, and slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of slash

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Cite this Entry

“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shear

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