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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective naked differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of naked are bald, bare, barren, and nude. While all these words mean "deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering," naked suggests absence of protective or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature, of destitution, or of defenselessness.

poor half-naked children

When would bald be a good substitute for naked?

In some situations, the words bald and naked are roughly equivalent. However, bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness.

a bald mountain peak

When could bare be used to replace naked?

The meanings of bare and naked largely overlap; however, bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable.

an apartment with bare walls

When can barren be used instead of naked?

While in some cases nearly identical to naked, barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility.

barren plains

When might nude be a better fit than naked?

The words nude and naked are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 naked Think streamlined, nearly naked sandals that lace up around the ankles in neutral colorways and are versatile for styling from beachside vacations to summer nights out. Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 28 July 2025 To the naked eye, the cluster is near the threshold of ordinary vision. Joe Rao, Space.com, 28 July 2025 Police searched for Best and his son Zeke for two days before a group of hunters came across the father naked in the snow alongside a local highway and muttering incoherently with baby Zeke laying dead nearby, PEOPLE reported at the time. Sean Neumann, People.com, 28 July 2025 The White House removed the Wall Street Journal from the trip’s press pool after the publication ran a story which described a collection of letters gifted to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003, including a note bearing Trump’s name and an outline of a naked woman. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for naked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naked
Adjective
  • Failing to act decisively now will mean that deepfakes, nude or otherwise, are likely to become an increasingly problematic part of everyday life.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • The episode ended with a deep-fake public service announcement that showed Trump walking through the desert, taking off his clothes and collapsing nude in the sand.
    Christine Ricciardi, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Once the penthouse was stripped bare, Baimakhan started on custom interiors for a young local family with three school-age children.
    Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2025
  • In the Sacramento Valley, rows of olive trees are punctuated not by bare earth but by a thick carpet of green cover crops—vetch, clover, and rye.
    Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Transform public-internal data fusion into simple, actionable insights anyone can use.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The scalloped crochet trim and gold buttons add a sophisticated element to an otherwise simple tank, and the tighter weave won’t allow any undergarments to peek through.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 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
  • 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
  • Standing tickets in the Yard at the foot of the stage are a more affordable option—but just be aware that a ticket in this area means standing in an uncovered area for the entire two- to three-hour performance.
    Ellen LeCompte, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2025
  • Simply place the item in an uncovered dish or a container vented with holes, and set it in humid areas like the bathroom, basement, attic, or kitchen cabinets out of reach of children and pets.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • Most of the bald facts of his death are horrifyingly unremarkable, after three years of Russian bombardment.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
  • Its bald head, often tinted with red or yellow hues, is an evolutionary adaptation to its scavenging lifestyle, helping to keep the head clean when feeding on carcasses.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Adjective
  • Sections of the park that will remain open include Funland, the golf course, the pickleball courts, tennis courts, disc golf area (red and blue courses), pavilion rentals and the Arkansas River Trail.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Epilogue – Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, FL How to access: Located within the adults-only section of the resort, Epilogue is open to resort guests and select visitors.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Naked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naked. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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