SHEARED Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

sheared

verb

Definition of sheared

past tense of shear

as in shaved

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

as in sliced

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 sheared If conditions are dry, the foliage will begin to yellow and can be sheared to the crown. — Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 22 Sep. 2026 Once inside, they’re restrained, sometimes blindfolded to preserve their sanity, and carefully sheared before being released. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2026 The impact sheared the pole and caused the vehicle to catch fire. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Cotton/polyester fleece are brushed, sheared and sueded for a buttery soft hand feel. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 28 July 2026 The force of the crash sheared the seatbelt Miller was wearing, and he was thrown from the vehicle. — Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 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 It can be sheared into a formal hedge or shaped into a ball. — Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheared

Verb

Apparently, Tony Romo shaved two strokes off his final round scorecard.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Every 10 basis points shaved off a $1 billion Eurobond saves an issuer $1 million a year.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of shaved

Verb

Stella McCartney experimented with layered constructions in contrasting colors, while Ottolinger sliced jeans and twisted seams.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
The overall pie has increased, but the way it is sliced, and where growth and decline are happening, is constantly shifting.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of sliced

Verb

Inspectors observed cutting boards with cut marks and no longer cleanable in the first-floor kitchen.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Ellison has taken an opposing view from his predecessors who confronted crumbling industry economics by cutting expenditures to boost their corporate bottom lines.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of cut

Verb

With two outs in the opening frame, Junior Caminero and Jonny DeLuca ripped consecutive RBI knocks to put Tampa Bay up 2-0.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Popular at American Chinese or Cajun-style Chinese restaurants, the sticky-sweet chicken is the utter definition of delicious, luring weary shoppers into food courts to find refuge from the bubblegum pink sweatpants and ripped denim.

— Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of ripped

Verb

The carrier also slashed earnings for basic economy flights, following earlier changes to the same practice by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

— Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
The second man pulled a knife and slashed the first in the abdomen, police said.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of slashed

Verb

That defense had Jason Taylor, Joey Porter, Zach Thomas, Channing Crowder, Keith Traylor, Vonnie Holliday, Yeremiah Bell, Will Allen and Renaldo Hill on it to start the season, but injuries trimmed the fat.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
With no takers, the price tag was trimmed to $20 million in April.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of trimmed

Verb

The sound of jackhammering in the Horsches’ backyard pierced the otherwise quiet street Wednesday afternoon.

— Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026
Neighbors in the area say the bullets pierced parked cars, trash cans, even the bedroom window of someone blocks away.

— Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of pierced

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“Sheared.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheared. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sheared

verb

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