Synonyms of sheer

sheer 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in transparent

very thin and easy to see through

we had to get window shades because passersby could see right through our sheer curtains

Synonyms & Similar Words

• transparent
• translucent
• diaphanous
• gauzy
• gossamer
• filmy
• see-through
• crystal
• fragile
• cobwebby
• clear
• delicate
• gauzelike
• liquid
• gossamery
• crystalline
• limpid
• flimsy
• lucent
• pellucid
• peekaboo
• lucid
• insubstantial
• unsubstantial
• dainty
• frail
• colorless
• uncolored

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opaque
• nebulous
• smoky
• misty
• hazy
• murky
• foggy
• cloudy
• dull
• drab
• lackluster
• smokey
• lusterless

2

as in utter

having no exceptions or restrictions

survivors of the earthquake told of experiencing sheer terror

Synonyms & Similar Words

• utter
• pure
• absolute
• total
• unconditional
• complete
• simple
• definite
• outright
• damn
• very
• perfect
• real
• damned
• endless
• unmitigated
• profound
• unadulterated
• deadly
• huge
• constant
• stark
• downright
• dreadful
• categorical
• thorough
• thoroughgoing
• regular
• crashing
• consummate
• genuine
• perpetual
• fair
• unqualified
• blank
• extreme
• out-and-out
• unalloyed
• flat-out
• plumb
• all-out
• eternal
• horrible
• straight-out
• terrible
• rank
• arrant
• clean
• categoric
• blooming
• bodacious
• dead
• flat
• stone
• unremitting
• veritable
• supreme
• extraordinary
• undying
• classic
• unrestricted
• authentic
• hopeless
• main
• terrific
• habitual
• superlative
• inveterate
• confirmed
• frightful
• surpassing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• doubtful
• questionable
• restricted
• dubious
• qualified
• equivocal

3

as in steep

having an incline approaching the perpendicular

the sheer slopes of the ravine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• steep
• mountainous
• vertical
• precipitous
• abrupt
• sloped
• bold
• perpendicular
• craggy
• plumb
• tilted
• scarped
• hilly
• angled
• straight
• tipped
• slanted
• heeled
• hillocky
• cocked
• listed
• inclined
• canted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• soft
• moderate
• gradual
• gentle
• level
• smooth
• horizontal
• flat
• even
• flush
• unruffled
• plane
• unwrinkled

sheer

2 of 2

verb

ˈshir 

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

• deviate
• turn
• swing
• turn off
• veer
• wheel
• diverge
• detour
• swerve
• tack
• double (back)
• turn back
• zigzag

2

as in to veer

to depart abruptly from a straight line or course

the car sheered to avoid hitting the dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

• veer
• curve
• cut
• bow
• circle
• turn
• swerve
• zig
• arch
• zag
• sweep
• break
• skew
• yaw
• weave
• wander
• twist
• curl
• slew
• bend
• round
• arc
• wind
• spiral
• wheel
• slue
• pivot
• hook
• loop
• zigzag
• crook
• stray
• coil
• waver
• deviate
• about-face

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• straighten

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

Examples of sheer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Many Gen Zers and millennials today are forced to rent (or live with their parents) because of the sheer cost of buying a house—and the lucky few who did get on the housing ladder are now stuck in their starter home sweet home. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2024

There were some sheer textures, overlapping and layering that were sophisticated yet wearable. —Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Verb

Alpacas can produce about 5-10 pounds of strong, soft, and warm lightweight fleece per year when sheered, according to the Alpaca Owners Association. —Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2024

Forget the mythology of arcane discovery and honor the nobility of those who turn the ordinary to sheer magic by never compromising and never resting one iota short of perfection. —Stephen Jay Gould, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019