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 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 Drivers who came upon the burning plane, which was nearly sheared in half and tipped on its side, captured dramatic rescue scenes on video or rushed toward the aircraft on foot to help. — CBS News, 17 June 2026 In that 1964 work, Ono sat still on a stage, a pair of scissors beside her, as audience members took turns shearing her clothing. — Julie L. Belcove, Architectural Digest, 12 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 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
  • The group — which Microsoft , Nvidia , Alphabet , Apple , Meta , Tesla and Amazon — shaved off roughly $2 trillion in market cap, as investors are starting to reassess the investing case for these once unbeatable mega-caps.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 1 July 2026
  • Make sure to freshly shave your cheese for the best results to snack on mid-festivities.
    — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of shave
Verb
  • They’re designed with a sleek flat front, a mid-rise elastic waistband, a slightly loose leg opening, and small side slits for a comfortable, relaxed fit.
    — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 June 2026
  • Before police took him into custody, Tran slit his wrists, cut his neck and poked the blade into his stomach, but all of the wounds were superficial.
    — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
Definition of slit
Verb
  • The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Potential applications beyond wind energy The researchers believe the manufacturing approach could cut production costs for small wind turbines and help more people use lightweight renewable energy technology.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of cut
Verb
  • Peel kiwis using a knife, peeler, or spoon, and slice into wedges, rounds, cubes, or decorative halves.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
  • The thighs just need to be sliced into large pieces (1½-2 inches is the sweet spot) before being threaded onto skewers.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of slice
Verb
  • Miller’s exact dress from Debute London, which features a bustier top, lace trim, and a short hemline, is a great example of the details that turn the trend more contemporary, while still nodding to its nostalgic, charming nature.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • Mow regularly and trim your edges, since ticks lurk in tall grass and brush.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of trim
Verb
  • On June 29, workers were seen installing a red carpet on the venue's signature stairs, only to rip it up a short time later.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Four people died, including a 12-year-old boy, and several others were injured after at least three tornadoes ripped through that corner of the state.
    — Christina Zhang, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of rip
Verb
  • At the low end, a dog washing station is a hose, a spray nozzle and somewhere to clip the leash.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • His pass to Luis Romo was perhaps a little short but the midfielder kept his cool, finding Roberto Alvarado, who clipped a gorgeous, inviting pass over the top.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of clip
Verb
  • The most recent controversy came in January, when the county paid $135,000 to settle a lawsuit that accused Kramer of improperly slashing a property’s value by millions of dollars — then retaliating against the employee who raised alarms about it.
    — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Last year, the charity Oxfam noted that G7 countries, which collectively account for around 75% of all official development assistance, were set to slash their aid spending by 28% in 2026 compared to 2024 levels.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of slash

Browse Nearby Words

sheaf
shear
sheared
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Cite this Entry

“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shear

Nglish: Translation of shear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shear

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