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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bare differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bare are bald, barren, naked, and nude. While all these words mean "deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering," bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable.

an apartment with bare walls

When might bald be a better fit than bare?

The synonyms bald and bare are sometimes interchangeable, but bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness.

a bald mountain peak

When is it sensible to use barren instead of bare?

The words barren and bare can be used in similar contexts, but barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility.

barren plains

In what contexts can naked take the place of bare?

While in some cases nearly identical to bare, naked suggests absence of protective or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature, of destitution, or of defenselessness.

poor half-naked children

Where would nude be a reasonable alternative to bare?

While the synonyms nude and bare are close in meaning, nude applies especially to the unclothed human figure.

a nude model posing for art students

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 bare
Adjective
Wait for cooler weather when the grubs head deeper into the soil, rake up and remove the loose grass, and re-seed to cover bare spots. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 May 2025 Rickson stages both plays with elegant restraint, arranging just a few bits of furniture in front of a bare brick wall. Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
Verb
But here are two people baring their most intimate moments for our entertainment. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 May 2025 At the construction site on my corner, massive athletic gear ads have just been plastered across the green scaffolding shed; all the female models bare their gleaming white smiles while running (can’t relate), happy to be exercising their muscular-but-not-unladylike limbs. Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare
Adjective
  • Los Angeles is now a mere 12 months away from serving as primary host of the World Cup soccer championships, and three years away from taking the world stage as host of both the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
  • Thunder’s star Jalen Williams clocks in at a mere 24 years old.
    Harry Enten, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to experiencing a surge of sensual energy with greater emphasis on life’s simple pleasures, Venus in Taurus has everything to do with feeling grounded and finding stability in both love and finances.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 5 June 2025
  • White is easy, simple, and many times, the best choice for a clean slate.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • The president’s embrace of Moscow and corresponding pivot away from Europe is pushing the continent to become more independent and leaving its people far more exposed.
    DMYTRO KULEBA, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2025
  • The ensemble featured a strapless, sculpted black corset top with an exposed zipper.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The union was not designed for this kind of naked coercion, and the White House should not be surprised, then, when the blue state targets of Trump's abuse start thinking a little more carefully about their options.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • Simply, the naked eye is capable of spotting the colorful display from Earth if the weather conditions cooperate.
    Skyler Caruso, People.com, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Diary entries written by Luigi Mangione reveal the now 27-year-old’s detailed thinking before the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, a new court filing shows.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
  • Beyond the To-Do List Host Erik Fisher interviews productivity experts and practitioners, revealing the real-world tactics that help people achieve their goals and get things done.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Its impact on the modern environment is made plain when the geologist protagonist must flee terrible wildfires there.
    Diana Arterian June 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025
  • Spectators perceive tennis outfits as plain, boring, rigid or limited to a specific silhouette.
    Ruth Etiesit Samuel, Essence, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Users on social media have reported shelves being empty at some Whole Foods locations with signs apologizing for the inconvenience and promising to resupply soon.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 13 June 2025
  • Normally bustling with tourists and downtown office workers, the historic food hall was nearly empty this week.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bare. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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