unvarnished

adjective

un·​var·​nished ˌən-ˈvär-nisht 

1

a

: not adorned or glossed : plain, straightforward

told the unvarnished truth

b

: artless, frank

the unvarnished candor of old people and children

—Janet Flanner

2

: not coated with or as if with varnish : crude, unfinished

Synonyms

• bald
• bare
• naked
• plain
• plain-vanilla
• simple
• unadorned
• undecorated
• unembellished
• unornamented

Examples of unvarnished in a Sentence

If you want my unvarnished opinion, the movie stinks.

I'm telling the unvarnished truth.

Recent Examples on the Web

Reading Jacobs’ script, the actress admired his unvarnished approach to grief, as well as the dark humor that cuts through. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024

The leaks also revealed a concerted effort to draw MAGA Republicans into unvarnished white nationalism. —David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2024

Now, though, with Baldwin’s stewardship, we’re finally given an unvarnished look. —Manuel Betancourt, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2024

Gere plays documentary filmmaker Leonard Fife, who sits down for a final interview to reveal the unvarnished facts of his life, reflecting on his relationships, regrets, and mortality. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

unvarnished

adjective

un·​var·​nished ˌən-ˈvär-nisht 

ˈən-

1

: not adorned or exaggerated : plain

the unvarnished truth

2

: not varnished