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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
When winter seems to stretch on and on—and our homes feel suddenly bare inside—the best way to beat the blues is by bringing a little cheer inside. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026 Though Nebraska struggled up front on defense last year, its cupboard is not bare on the D-line. Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The leg-baring number boasted a wide neckline and a deep V-shaped back. Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025 Rih’s dalliance with pink travels across the color’s spectrum, from candy tones, to muted neutrals, and splashes of neon, from pajamas to bump-baring hoodies, and jaw-dropping vintage. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare
Adjective
  • That’s the difference between having a mere below-average QB versus an awful one tied to your receiver.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • This process takes a mere 10 minutes, yet the result is a manicure that has lasted me up to 20 days.
    Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This simple taupe geometric style peel-and-stick wallpaper is affordable, easy to apply, and looks gorgeous without being too bold or loud.
    Brittney Morgan, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The simple addition of zipper detailing adds a preppy energy to the top.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • During that intrusion, the attacker discovered an exposed API that could be used to access customer information linked to 700Credit's dealership clients.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
  • America is entering 2026 with a health system that is more politically exposed, more unequal, and more unstable than at any time in recent memory.
    Uché Blackstock, Time, 23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • One foot was naked, and the other was frozen in its boot.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
  • That critique of American foreign policy – that US high-mindedness and democratic idealism conceal naked corporate interests – persisted through the Cold War and into the 21st Century.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 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
  • The images revealed both the mass and an affected lymph node, confirming the presence of cancer cells.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
  • However, in November, Zubimendi revealed a more subconscious benefit to playing chess.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Look for urea-free fertilizer that helps the plant absorb nitrogen more efficiently, and make sure to flush out the potting medium with plain water each month to prevent salt buildup that can harm the roots.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The goats prefer their trees plain.
    Noel Brennan, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • That set up a dramatic final four minutes until Josh Doan scored a nearly 169-foot empty-netter to give the Sabres the breathing room for a 5-3 win.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • All of Bed Bath & Beyond’s complaints have contended that the carriers compounded the retailer’s operational and financial distress throughout the pandemic as shelves went empty and costs soared, ultimately leading to the company’s demise.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bare. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bare

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