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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 skeletal
Over time birds evolved a panoply of skeletal and soft-tissue features that improved their flight capabilities.
—
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2025
In the footage, Geralt approaches the domain of a wraith and battles the skeletal specter, culminating in a heart-ripping moment.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Global energy firms slashed thousands of jobs after the 2020 oil bust, leaving a skeletal workforce.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Its inner space is dense with filaments of tubulin and actin, another protein that plays a similar skeletal role.
—Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2025
In the footage, Geralt approaches the domain of a wraith and battles the skeletal specter, culminating in a heart-ripping moment.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Global energy firms slashed thousands of jobs after the 2020 oil bust, leaving a skeletal workforce.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Its inner space is dense with filaments of tubulin and actin, another protein that plays a similar skeletal role.
—Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeletal
Adjective
-
And in a third, the gaunt 30-year-old killer flexes, purses his lips and squints.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The apparently recent footage showed two hostages -- Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel -- looking gaunt and exhausted while being driven around Gaza City.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share