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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Recent Examples of skeletal
Contestants transform into La Catrina, the skeletal figure that has become an enduring symbol of remembrance and Mexican identity.
—
Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025
The Goldwell Open Air Museum, next to the skeletal buildings of Rhyolite Ghost Town, is a large-scale sculpture installation created by a group of Belgian artists that’s complete with ghostly figures wearing white cloaks.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
New photos circulating online show that the vehicle was completely burned, leaving behind only a skeletal metal frame.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Bianca Velasco, a member of the dance group, led the walk dressed as La Catrina, a skeletal figure tied to Day of the Dead.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2025
The Goldwell Open Air Museum, next to the skeletal buildings of Rhyolite Ghost Town, is a large-scale sculpture installation created by a group of Belgian artists that’s complete with ghostly figures wearing white cloaks.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Oct. 2025
New photos circulating online show that the vehicle was completely burned, leaving behind only a skeletal metal frame.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
Bianca Velasco, a member of the dance group, led the walk dressed as La Catrina, a skeletal figure tied to Day of the Dead.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeletal
Adjective
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And in a third, the gaunt 30-year-old killer flexes, purses his lips and squints.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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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
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Now, the film is a downright classic, centering on three haggard witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) who go on a hilarious misadventure while trying to remain young forever.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Skeletal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeletal. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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