as in gaunt
suffering extreme weight loss as a result of hunger or disease
the stray kitten's skeletal body was pitiful to look at
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skeletal
The beetles are tiny enough — just a few millimeters long — to crawl into the recesses of the smallest animals and nibble away without affecting delicate skeletal structures, said Scott Schaefer, who oversees the museum’s collection of more than 30 million specimens and objects.
—
Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 13 May 2025
The divers were able to recover Schepers’ vehicle while keeping the structure intact, allowing investigators to use dental records to identify her skeletal remains.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
Part of the mystery was solved in November 1987 when the Humboldt County Sheriff’s office received a package of skeletal remains.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Anonymous letter directed police to Kay's remains Nearly four months later, the sheriff's office received a package through U.S. mail containing skeletal remains and an anonymous letter with directions to more human remains.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 13 May 2025
The divers were able to recover Schepers’ vehicle while keeping the structure intact, allowing investigators to use dental records to identify her skeletal remains.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025
Part of the mystery was solved in November 1987 when the Humboldt County Sheriff’s office received a package of skeletal remains.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Anonymous letter directed police to Kay's remains Nearly four months later, the sheriff's office received a package through U.S. mail containing skeletal remains and an anonymous letter with directions to more human remains.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeletal
Adjective
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Recent photos of Bieber out and about show him looking gaunt and disappearing into his clothes.—
Shirley Halperin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2025
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While Kahn was on the GLP-1 bandwagon earlier than most, her story has become the norm for those using weight loss drugs, finding their skin is looser and their face is more gaunt, creating a wealth of opportunity across the beauty ecosphere.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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When Claire first shows up, Sweeney’s haggard appearance is doubly shocking for anyone who’s seen how radiant the star looks in most roles.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
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Weinstein often looked haggard and out of it — unshaven, mouth ajar, eyes bleary.—
Phoebe Eaton,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skeletal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeletal. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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