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sheer

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verb

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
Gomez wowed in a sheer chocolate top (that revealed her Victoria's Secret bra peeking through) with denim jeans. Catherine Santino, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025 The cut-outs were lined with a sheer mesh material, and her hair was styled half up and half down. Janelle Ash, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
However, the images soon shifted as Madonna went from T-shirt to sheer shirt to no shirt in her Instagram photos. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 3 Aug. 2024 Pick from warm-weather staples like tank tops to sheer short-sleeve tops. Victoria Montalti, refinery29.com, 16 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for sheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer
Adjective
  • Share real patient success stories, be transparent about treatments and educate without the hard sell.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Chicagoans need a charter to ensure that city government is transparent and is responsive to and represents their needs.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And if left untamed, could result in the utter failure of human civilization.
    Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Also surprising was the utter lack of any dancing during the 10-minute Dance of the Seven Veils orchestral piece (at least at Friday’s performance).
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That was a slightly steeper decline than the one reported in a preliminary reading earlier this month.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Rescue crews found the hikers along a steep cliff edge in the Big Flat Area, about 10 miles north of an area known as Shelter Cove, according to a news release from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Justice Department also said that DOGE access doesn't deviate significantly from normal practices inside the agency, where employees are routinely allowed to search its databases.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Their decisions often deviated from strict legal precedent when faced with sympathetic defendants.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • All of that will be entirely separate from the cost to taxpayers of administering a citywide special election, which could veer north of $10 million.
    Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Gascón has veered between being apologetic and remorseful about the posts, to raging against her critics.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The new suites will measure 38 square feet, (25% more than the current first class suites), feature the longest bed in the air at 6.5 feet and extend to five windows in side suites to flood the suite with natural light (but with shades that have translucent and blackout options).
    Laurie Werner, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Silky to the touch, this creamy formulation flatters all skin tones—the seemingly peachy-toned product dries down translucent and instantly smooths over the appearance of pores and fine lines.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • As a pure runner, though, Giddens is impressive, showing off great speed and vision.
    Steve Bradshaw, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The heartbreak is immense, but as Ellie so perfectly pointed out, the Winnie-Bubba reunion had to be pure magic.
    Karen Fratti, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Easter Or Die followed ten celebs who were invited to a mountainous snowbound resort.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Lumina is the first science fiction entry to be shot in Morocco, particularly in the mountainous regions of Marrakech and Ouarzazate, providing it with a distinct cinematic appearance.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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