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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
Others reacted with humor, making skits that played up Timberlake's seemingly putting in the bare minimum. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 30 July 2025 In past years, many shelves were bare by the end of Day 1. Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
Verb
Barbara Walters is best known as the legendary TV broadcaster who convinced world leaders, celebrities and controversial figures to bare their souls before audiences of millions. Sean Keane, ABC News, 23 June 2025 Since its humble beginnings as a spontaneous late-night strip show at a New York City bar, Broadway Bares has grown into a full-scale production featuring elaborate costumes, themed choreography, celebrity cameos and dozens of Broadway performers who bare (almost) all in the name of a good cause. Dave Quinn, People.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare
Adjective
  • Prices for wine consumed at home rose a mere 0.9% over that span.
    Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
  • The intrepid agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service first met each other mere episodes prior but had already embarked on a love affair for the ages.
    Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • This involves flexible decision making beyond simple automation.
    Ian Gotts, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • The formal living room sports soaring ceilings lined with exposed beams, while the more casual family room is surrounded by walls of windows and topped with a skylight for even more natural light.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 July 2025
  • Yet, the bill pares back support for wind and solar projects that typically complement gas plants—potentially leaving the grid more exposed, not less.
    Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • An image of another man, naked from the chest up, pressed against a large gate by a river of mud.
    Ariel Saramandi, The Dial, 29 July 2025
  • Twin Peaks Buy six bone-in naked or breaded wings and get six free with the purchase of a beverage.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 29 July 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
  • As The Washington Post reported, a study of 500 large companies revealed that last year saw the fewest DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) references in corporate financial statements since 2020.
    Time, Time, 23 July 2025
  • Our deep dive last week revealed that the BBC was leaning towards showing the series on both linear and iPlayer.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • But also take your time in crafting the perfect order of its plain pie — simply tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil — or its white pie — with fresh mozzarella, ricotta, butter, garlic, olive oil and basil.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2025
  • Across social media, we’re told drinking plain water is passe, subpar, and incredibly basic.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • In his debut in the Red-White game, Gardner stopped 14 of 17 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss, but two of the goals came on the power play, and the other was with the opposing net empty.
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • Add the liquid to the reservoir and fill it with water. Step 3: Start descaling Start a standard brew cycle, dump out the solution and continue filling the mug until the tank is empty.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bare. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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