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
Relevance
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
To get a second show of flowers after the peak of summer, shear the plants back for fall blooms.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
The plants bloom in late spring and early summer and can be encouraged to bloom again by shearing the plants back by two-thirds after the first flowers fade.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
As the continents sheared and twisted unevenly, local forces squeezed together thin ribbons of crust and popped them up like geological meerkats, isolating and slicing them off.
—Evan Howell, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Barbers, equipped with shearing scissors and razors, squatted atop mats waiting to give children their first haircut, a hallowed ceremony that eliminates bad karma of past lives and ends with the kids’ shorn locks tossed into the Ganges.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
The plants bloom in late spring and early summer and can be encouraged to bloom again by shearing the plants back by two-thirds after the first flowers fade.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026
As the continents sheared and twisted unevenly, local forces squeezed together thin ribbons of crust and popped them up like geological meerkats, isolating and slicing them off.
—Evan Howell, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Barbers, equipped with shearing scissors and razors, squatted atop mats waiting to give children their first haircut, a hallowed ceremony that eliminates bad karma of past lives and ends with the kids’ shorn locks tossed into the Ganges.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shear
Verb
-
Due to severely matted fur, much of his coat had to be shaved.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
On Tuesday, March 31, the New England Patriots star quarterback shaved his head at Granite Telecommunications' annual Saving by Shaving fundraiser.—
Catherine Messier,
The Providence Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nicholson repeatedly stabbed her and slit her throat before stuffing her into a large plastic bin with her arms and legs sticking out, Porter said.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
-
If it’s baked in a loaf pan, go ahead and slit the top of the batter before baking.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Cavaliers led by as many as 36 points, but the Heat went on a third-quarter run to cut the deficit to 19 in the final seconds of the period.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Reduce the lot size, cut the square footage, and a house should cost less, supporters said.—
Mark Dee
March 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The terse staff will slice a rectangular piece of pizza for you from a long slab, wrap it in paper, and send you on your way.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Those threats include boat strikes from propellers slicing through shells, being caught in fishing nets, shoreline development, tree removal reducing natural cover, de-icing bubblers that give otters access to hibernating turtles, and climate change.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
His volunteering includes helping seniors by mowing their lawns, trimming their hedges and bringing them dinner on holidays.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … ROBES RIVALRY — Liberal justice Elena Kagan rips colleague Jackson's dissent in rare public break.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Then a man comes in from behind and rips down their banner.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kodai Sano clipped the bar before the break, and the pressure eventually told when Ito got the breakthrough.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
His Land Rover clipped another vehicle and went over.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The other cost-slashing option that is seldom practiced is the simulcast in which the radio network broadcasts the TV announcers, a path the Dallas Stars have preferred for decades.—
Mac Engel
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
At that point, Cupe allegedly became agitated and attacked the bystander with a box cutter, slashing him across the chest.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shear. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
