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Definition of barenext
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bare

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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
Choose a setting for bare floors to eliminate the bristles' contact with the floor surface. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026 Now, a team of researchers from the Polish Academy of Sciences has shown that even a bare carbon fiber, no thicker than a human hair, can bend and straighten on command, without any direct wiring. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
Already known for her skin-baring fashions, Kardashian took her style to the next level in a catsuit made out of sheer and embellished lace that showed her SKIMS bra underneath. Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026 Justin Bieber bared it all on the Grammy stage, literally. Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare
Adjective
  • Much like Hawkins and Nolte, the mere presence of Leigh increases the quality of any movie by 33 percent.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Beyond mere biology or even emotions, some philosophers and psychologists contend that love is also a practice.
    Tucker J. Gregor, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Feltner’s routine was pretty simple.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Crime 101 takes the same view of quid pro quo as the most basic form of American commerce and makes simple but brutal points about value and self-worth, where your car, its year, make and model, matters more than your resumé.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The Chinese delayed their retaliation for a while and then, very cunningly, took disproportionate revenge on Canada, recognizing Canada as the weaker link, who got less from the tariffs and were more exposed.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Many people may feel more exposed, vulnerable, or emotionally raw, precisely because an essential need needs to be recognized.
    Marie Bladt, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The model posed in her own 2026 version of Carrie Bradshaw’s naked dress, which featured the same scoop neckline, thigh-grazing length, and minimalist spaghetti straps that the Sex and the City heroine memorably wore for her first date with Big.
    Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Her body wasn’t found for more than two weeks when fishermen discovered a naked woman in the river 4 miles downstream from where she was last seen.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024
Verb
  • Similarly, footage showing federal agents killing Alex Pretti revealed the ICU nurse was holding a phone in his right hand, and an officer removing a gun from his back waistband before the shooting.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • During the sentencing hearing that began last week, prosecutors revealed the previously confidential contents of a handwritten note with Thompson's name and the shooting date found at his family's house in the Hedingham subdivision.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • For areas south and east of the city, a change to plain rain is anticipated before clearing later in the night.
    Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Once the burners are completely cool, use a cloth dampened with plain water to wipe off the spill.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • An empty mount later seen attached to the doorframe appears to match one designed for a Google product.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • As malls have closed because of shifting consumer shopping habits and a desire for more lucrative development opportunities, the expansive empty buildings have taken on a new draw as a kind of postapocalyptic wasteland, much to the chagrin of local officials.
    Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bare. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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