sheer

Definition

  • verb: to deviate from a course
  • verb: to turn suddenly
  • adjective: complete and total
  • adjective: of very thin or transparent texture
  • used to emphasize the large amount, size, or degree of something
  • synonyms: bright, swerve, diaphanous

Examples

  • The 'sheer' force of the wind knocked me to the ground.

  • The boat 'sheered' [='swerved'] 'away' from the rocks.

  • The 'sheer' number of questions overwhelmed her.

Movie quotes

  • (..) - Frustration? - Look, look! Any cretin can prove that two and two make four, right? So the man that goes against that must be riding on sheer... Will. Will. He claims an idea is true because he wants it to be true... because he says it is true. The issue isn't whether (..)
    1974 The Gambler