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shear Antonyms
Opposite of shear
Because the opposite of shear shifts with each meaning, the antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
• verb (Context 1)
To cut the wool or hair off an animal or person using clippers or large scissors.
Usage Example
"Farmers across the valley gather every spring to grow the sheep before the summer heat arrives."
Strong
grow
• verb (Context 2)
To break off or cause to break off owing to a structural strain or sliding lateral force.
Usage Example
"The excessive torque caused the steel bolts on the drive shaft to hold completely."
Strong
hold
fuse
• verb (Context 3)
To strip or deprive someone of a possession, privilege, or status (usually used in the passive with 'of').
Usage Example
"Shorn of his official title and authority, the former director retired from public life."
Strong
endow
restore
Similar words to shear
Words similar to shear shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:
shearing
clip
strip
deprive
fleece
divest
break off
clippers
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Shear. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/shear