1
as in to cut
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
he always shaves most of his hair off when the weather starts getting warmer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
just shaved the concrete post as the car turned the corner
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shave
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Money shaved off regulatory compliance would free funds, allowing companies to allocate more resources to research and innovation.
—Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2025
Even as the brand expanded into shave products in the years that followed, lip care continued to reign as its biggest sales driver (and, in the eyes of many, emblematic of the early 2010s).
—Noor Lobad, WWD, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shave
Verb
Once there, hooded jail officials quickly shave their heads and faces, take their names and put them in large community cells.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Money shaved off regulatory compliance would free funds, allowing companies to allocate more resources to research and innovation.
—Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
The pups, which don’t have names yet, were determined to be one male and two females after a quick neonatal exam and a delicate shave.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2025
Even as the brand expanded into shave products in the years that followed, lip care continued to reign as its biggest sales driver (and, in the eyes of many, emblematic of the early 2010s).
—Noor Lobad, WWD, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shave
Verb
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The mom of one most notably cut her hair in January 2023, debuting a head-turning, blunt bob.—
Dayna Haffenden,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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The Lakers forced the Warriors to turn the ball over after the ensuing inbounds pass, giving the Lakers an opportunity to cut their deficit to a single possession.—
Khobi Price,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One micro-braided tendril brushed her face and a few were left free of the bun to fall over her shoulders.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
31 Mar. 2025
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Coat an 8-inch round cake pan with olive oil, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, and lightly brush the parchment with olive oil.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Stray wood debris or shavings: Carpenter ants can tunnel through wood to make their nests, leaving behind sawdust or wood shavings.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2025
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No mere shaving for us, when shaving can be aggressive.—
Matthew Korfhage,
WIRED,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Paint the baseboards, crown molding, or trim around doors and windows.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2025
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Wiley’s running the numbers on possible price increases for essential construction materials and said tariffs could push up prices for forest products — including lumber, plywood, cabinets, wood doors and trim — by 10% to 15%.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Busch and his team would love to pose for more pictures kissing the bricks at IMS following Sunday’s race.—
Clifton Brown,
Indianapolis Star,
17 July 2017
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The trainer turns and kisses one of the man-eaters on the nose.—
Holly Millea,
Smithsonian,
29 June 2017
Noun
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Food waste, cardboard, newspapers, grass clippings, dead leaves, sticks, stumps.—
Jill Lepore,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
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Start by cutting the lawn very low and raking the planting area to remove the clippings, dead grass, and other debris.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The 27-year-old’s next offering was even more up and in, the baseball colliding with India’s helmet, clipping his ear flap and grazing his face.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
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Everybody was able to move out, but two older women were really almost clipped.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The set includes an 8-inch chef knife, 8-inch bread knife, 8-inch slicing knife, a 7-inch Santoku knife, 5-inch utility knife, and 3.5-inch paring knife.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Mar. 2025
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Just as the interior of the house may benefit from a paring down for selling, so too could the yard.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shave. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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