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
Director and dance-maker Abate keeps the story flowing seamlessly, almost cinematically — aided by designer Michelle Ney's skeletal scenery and seemingly limitless supply of rolling furniture and decor — until the tense drama requires absolute stillness.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
With the building soon to be vacant, the congregation skeletal, repairs prohibitive, and a developer waiting in the wings to tear it down, the building’s fate looks grim.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
For the animals, the sculptor engineered a skeletal armature and then orchestrated the layering of concrete from the bottom up.
—Paul Nicolaus, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025
Nearly six months later her skeletal remains were discovered during the excavation of massive debris piles inside her single-family home in Glastonbury.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
With the building soon to be vacant, the congregation skeletal, repairs prohibitive, and a developer waiting in the wings to tear it down, the building’s fate looks grim.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
For the animals, the sculptor engineered a skeletal armature and then orchestrated the layering of concrete from the bottom up.
—Paul Nicolaus, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025
Nearly six months later her skeletal remains were discovered during the excavation of massive debris piles inside her single-family home in Glastonbury.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeletal
Adjective
-
In addition to a very gaunt appearance, other symptoms include: Extreme weakness Thin, dry skin with excess skin folds due to loss of fat Sparse, brittle hair that can be easily plucked out 8.—
Jonathan Purtell,
Verywell Health,
13 June 2025
-
Recent photos of Bieber out and about show him looking gaunt and disappearing into his clothes.—
Shirley Halperin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 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 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share