sheer 1 of 2

1
2
3

sheer

2 of 2

verb

1
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

2

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
With the sheer number of chemicals involved in nineteenth-century photography, practitioners had a host of novel and exciting ways to injure themselves. Anika Burgess july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025 But when looking at the sheer numbers of people experiencing homelessness in each state, California dominates the list with a total of 187,084, at a rate of 4.8 percent. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
Verb
Its thin, almost-watery texture delivers an exceptional burst of color, that despite its weight, does not sheer out when blended. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025 For instance, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC show the earthquake toppled the air traffic control tower at Naypyitaw International Airport as if sheered from its base, according to The Associated Press. Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer
Adjective
  • Lizzo has been transparent about her weight loss journey and was recently a cover girl for Women’s Health magazine.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 24 July 2025
  • Companies that master the hybrid approach while maintaining transparent practices may emerge as the next generation of industry leaders.
    Ascend Agency, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Today, dark matter and dark energy — together composing 95% of the contents of the universe — remain utter mysteries.
    Jenna Ahart, Quanta Magazine, 11 July 2025
  • This approach came into being several years ago after the Medical Board’s last confidential diversion system was deemed an utter failure and patients were harmed at the hands of struggling doctors.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, Trump has imposed steep new taxes on imports of Canadian steel, aluminum and autos, and Carney's team has focused on trying to get those eliminated or reduced.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 July 2025
  • But Trump has resisted backing a bipartisan U.S. bill to impose steep sanctions on Russia, instead giving Russia 50 days to accept a peace deal or face sanctions on its energy exports.
    Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • For one thing, AI currently lacks the creativity, intuition or adaptability needed to deftly handle any emergency that deviates from historical flight data.
    Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 21 July 2025
  • Because the river winds, the streets accessing the docks in Lincoln Yards had to deviate in their headings.
    F.K. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Police said that Heriot's car veered off the road and rolled over at about 6:45 p.m. local time, the outlets reported.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • Conservatives should realize how Gunn veers into supporting open borders.
    Armond White, National Review, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Add onions, garlic, and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring often, until onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
    Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
  • More significantly, all four stations have translucent roofs that, aside from offering decent shade and shelter, feel to us like a bit of a neighborhood nod to the grand terminals of old.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • This remains pure conjecture, and an exaggeration of the role of symbiosis beyond what mainstream evolutionary theory would support; random mutation is still considered the main driver of speciation.
    Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
  • Cam, 40, inhabits a space similar to Brandi Carlile, her appealing songs making their point in a pure, expressive voice.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • In today’s world, glacial ice can persist in equatorial regions such as the Andes and Indonesia, but only on mountainous slopes several miles above sea level.
    Laura Poppick July 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
  • However, the outfit had begun its preparations to enter the sport long ago, given the mountainous task of starting a new team from scratch.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sheer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!