Collocations for "sheer"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "sheer" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
sheer
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- sheer [size, strength, expanse, number, weight, amount, force]
- [amazed, surprised, overwhelmed] by the sheer [size] of it
- that was sheer stupidity!
- is talking sheer [nonsense, hogwash, baloney]
- [succeeded, won, progressed] through sheer [will, determination, hard work]
- [said, did] it out of sheer [delight, pleasure, boredom]
- it was (just) sheer luck that
- [won, qualified, made it] through sheer luck
- [ran, scarpered, hid, left] in sheer panic
- by sheer [luck, chance, coincidence, good fortune]
- it's sheer madness!
- the sheer [nerve, audacity] it took to
- wore sheer [lipstick, stockings, lingerie, tights]
- sheer [nylon, lace] (stockings)
- a sheer [shirt, dress, fabric]
- a sheer [drop, cliff, slope]
- the [boat, plane, car] sheered away
- the [boat] sheered to the [left, right, north, south]
- the [boat] sheered [north, south, inland]
- her [mind, thoughts] sheered (away from)
- mountains rising sheer in the [distance, valleys]
- drove sheer [off the road, into a post]
- was [flying, heading] sheer off [path, course]
'sheer' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
act
- breath
- class
- coincidence
- default
- delight
- determination
- disappointment
- dismay
- distort
- dumb
- embarrassment
- enjoyment
- excitement
- fluff
- folly
- haste
- idiot
- joy
- kindness
- luxury
- madness
- magnitude
- offspring
- overwhelmed
- rage
- satisfaction
- serendipity
- thrill