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
But that proved to be a challenge due to the sheer amount of footage. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 2 June 2025 Once inside, Ortega did a quick change, swapping her gray heels for black patent leather T-straps, trading the trench for a layered gray dress, and ditching the sheer stockings for sheer gloves. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 2 June 2025
Verb
Naked Dressing Naked dressing has been everywhere in recent years, from celebrity red carpet looks to sheer clothes for day-to-day wear. Andrea Bossi, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025 Decades of despair to sheer delight for Commanders fans: The Washington Commanders will be playing in the NFC championship game next Sunday, one game away from the Super Bowl. Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sheer
Adjective
  • Additionally, transparent data systems tracking outcomes—such as income, employment, and attainment by race and parental education—are essential to drive reform.
    Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Soliman appeared in court behind a transparent parition where he was asked to shake his head or nod in response to questions.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Even more notable was the string of copycat series Survivor sparked, which caused an utter explosion for the genre as other networks raced to find its very own success story.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 27 May 2025
  • His mission was to keep the vibes high in the face of utter hopelessness.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Talks with China, which imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on the U.S., are ongoing after both countries agreed to lower steep tariffs.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Those numbers reported by authorities Tuesday reflect a steep increase from 2024, when cops answered just under 4,000 calls for service, made only 20 DUI arrests and reported no deaths from crashes over the three-day weekend.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • An example might be a SaaS company adding consulting or training services that enhance the core software experience without deviating too far from its expertise.
    Will Fan, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The spending proposal lawmakers approved, negotiated among the Democratic House and Senate leaders and the governor’s office, deviates from Pritzker’s original plan in certain areas, including funding for elementary and secondary education.
    Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • That allows Connelly more flexibility to add depth to the roster, veering away from the top-heavy construction that is becoming untenable under the new CBA.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • There has been a general sense that Ellie’s character has veered well outside the lines of the source material in The Last of Us season 2.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Celebs like Hailey Bieber and Anne Hathaway have cosigned on the barely-there nail trend, with Bieber even taking it down to her toes with a totally translucent, fresh summer pedicure.
    Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 3 June 2025
  • The look is finished off with a translucent rubber outsole.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 June 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps the truth, however, is that Emmanuel-Thomas, in pure sporting terms, has always been something of a puzzle.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Vionic Uptown Loafer The Vionic Uptown Loafers look like pure business on the upper, but the sole offers all the comfort and flexibility of a sneaker.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Limpopo, a mountainous province that’s divided from Zimbabwe and Botswana by the Limpopo River, is one of the more underserved parts of South Africa.
    Mary Holland, Robb Report, 5 June 2025
  • When Neo awakens, we are lost amid mountainous, industrial pods.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sheer. Accessed 10 Jun. 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!