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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
This 5-mile hike includes narrow strips of rock with sheer drops on both sides. Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2025 However, the dress proved exceedingly difficult to appropriately pair with a corset (an undergarment whose use was extremely common and all but outright expected at the time), thanks to its sheer qualities. Molly Peck, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
John Fabiano was documenting the working dogs of the country and visited a wool farm during sheering season. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 The breastplate transitions to sheer under the bustline, with black, gold and silver streaks cascading down. Maggie Clancy, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for sheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer
Adjective
  • Our hope is that this moment serves as an opportunity for reflection, paving the way for a more thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative relationship moving forward.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • When fiscal and monetary policy is transparent and rule-based, risk premiums decline and valuations stabilize.
    Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 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
  • And in January 2024, a steep entertainment tax on services by karaoke bars, spas, and nightclubs had been proposed, though that was scrapped the next month after backlash from local businesses.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Hop aboard one of the town’s white Volkswagen Beetle taxis to navigate the steep streets, or take the cable car to Hotel Montetaxco—a fine place for views of Taxco rooftops and to rest your head for the night.
    Meagan Drillinger, AFAR Media, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The show deviates from the real Melissa and Keith and goes into entirely fictional territory, introducing another possible victim.
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
  • There’s always a chance for a surprise cameo that deviates from the source material, but Choi Hyun-wook is not currently listed as a Season 2 cast member.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Less than two weeks later, a Learjet 35A owned by Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil, who was not on the plane, veered off the runway while landing, and crashed into a Gulfstream business jet on the ramp at Scottsdale Municipal Airport, in Arizona, and the pilot died.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
  • What To Know European leaders are veering away from previous plans to deploy troops to Ukraine just after Kyiv and Moscow agreed to a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea, as well as a halt on attacks against energy infrastructure targets for 30 days.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Courtesy of Alabaster Cavern Alabaster Caverns State Park Oklahoma Alabaster is a white, translucent mineral lighter and softer than marble, formed after an inland sea evaporated.
    Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 4 Apr. 2025
  • There are plucky steamed chive dumplings with translucent skin, meatball-like shumai teeming with pork, chicken or shrimp, green tea sesame balls (each $1.50 apiece) with Wicked-green dough surrounding sweet black paste.
    Benjy Egel, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The latest tool used by winemakers to show off the pure terroir of their grapes is the Wineglobe, a 100 percent glass orb to vinify and age wine.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2025
  • To suggest that the cartels might import coca leaves to extract cocaine makes about as much sense as suggesting that someone would import Dom Perignon to secure by chemical processing pure extracts of ethyl alcohol.
    Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The drone used its thermal technology and other powerful sensors to scan the mountainous terrain where the helicopter went down amid pitch darkness and adverse weather conditions.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Troops easily invaded Phnom Penh, causing high-ranking Khmer Rouge to flee to western Cambodia’s mountainous terrain along the Thai border.
    Ray Cavanaugh, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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