bars 1 of 2

Definition of barsnext
plural of bar
1
as in beams
a straight piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is wide all of the prison's windows are partially covered with steel bars

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2
as in streaks
a line or long narrow section differing in color from the background the cat had a bar of white down her throat

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3
as in mounds
a pile or ridge of granular matter (as sand or snow) more than one boater has run aground on that treacherous bar of sand in the river

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4
5
as in tribunals
an assembly of persons for the administration of justice rather than try and convict the alleged murderer in the mass media, let justice be done at the bar

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6
7
as in standards
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared we need to raise the bar for what is acceptable behavior in this situation

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bars

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bar
1
as in stripes
to make stripes on barred the fence with white strips

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2
3
4
as in guards
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point the bikeway was barred by a huge fallen tree

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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 bars
Noun
And in the nation’s third-largest city, home to one of the most rambunctious celebrations of the holiday, young partygoers were eager to swagger between bars and parties with the drinks, usually dyed kelly green. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026 Yawn and the victims testified against him, pushing for 10 years behind bars. Sarah Sotoodeh , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026 Behind bars in state penitentiaries in Gatesville and Marlin, Mejia felt forgotten. Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026 This was in October of 1983, and like so many ephemeral New York bars, Prescott’s on Greenwich Street is now long gone. Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026 That 1936 law bars betting on gaming, war, assassination or terrorism. Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026 The sheriff has been accused of threatening a state lawmaker, having deputies drive officials to bars and strip clubs on the clock, and abusing his position in other ways. Ryan Oehrli march 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026 Harvey Weinstein is pulling the curtain back on his life behind bars. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 Inspired by the famous North Carolina pie, these bars are easier to grab-and-go at big potlucks and events. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
In essence, the legal principle bars civil courts from deciding cases that call into question a church’s doctrine, internal decisions and governance. Michelle Casady, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026 In 2017, California passed Senate Bill 54, which bars police from supporting immigration enforcement. Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026 The agency says the change is meant to comply with a 1996 federal law signed by President Bill Clinton that bars states from providing public benefits to people without legal status unless a state legislature explicitly authorizes it — a law Texas largely did not enforce for decades. Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 15 Mar. 2026 International law governing warfare bars strikes on structures, vehicles and people that are not military objectives and combatants. Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026 The people were charged under a law that bars people from broadcasting or publishing content that could disturb national security, according to Detained in Dubai, which is based in London. Nbc News, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026 International law governing warfare bars strikes on structures, vehicles and people that are not military objectives and combatants. Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026 The bill also bars supporters of terrorist groups from receiving any state funding, including institutions receiving school choice scholarship money — a response to reports of Islamic schools receiving vouchers. Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026 The supremacy clause bars states and localities from interfering with federal property acquisitions or regulating land use on federal property after a sale. Aaron Walayat, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bars
Noun
  • These tiny emitters resemble miniature ski jumps that launch beams of light into free space.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Vaulted ceilings and exposed timber beams define the open-concept living spaces.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The coppery, medium-brown streaks stood out against her otherwise dark brown waves, adding awesome dimension to an already outstanding style.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Three of those streaks came in the last 15 years; the other two came before Strawberry.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Huge snow piles, huge snow mounds.
    CBS News, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Hike the King’s Trail, originally built as a footpath for royalty, to see coastal views, burial mounds, and black rock coves.
    Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • For those who want to celebrate with a green beer or a pint of Guinness, here are eight restaurant and pubs with Irish influence or owners that are featuring anything from drink and food specials to live music.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee March 16, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
  • One of the stops was for patients and staff at Shriners Children's Chicago, but teams of Trinity dancers are performing all over Chicago, taking center stage at schools, churches, and pubs.
    Noel Brennan, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But through a series of deft legal maneuvers—joined to the ever more ambitious self-concepts of some international legal tribunals—Mauritius was able to win a second legal victory at another international tribunal, for the law of the sea.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The position will also represent the department in front of administrative tribunals such as the State Personnel Board and the California Department of Human Resources as well as assist the attorney general’s office on civil litigation matters.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • At full height, the ship has an air draft of about 328 feet, but the tilting system enables the masts to lower when necessary, allowing the vessel to pass beneath bridges or other obstacles along its route, The Maritime Executive writes.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
  • The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Each year, the United Nations puts together a list of the happiest countries in the world, comparing a wide variety of criteria, from average incomes and healthcare standards to levels of generosity and the absence of corruption.
    Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2026
  • They are regulated by CMS and overseen by the Health Resources and Services Administration, but that oversight occurs primarily through certification standards, performance metrics, and periodic audits rather than routine public disclosure requirements.
    Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Washington's new measure prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings while interacting with the public, with exceptions for undercover and tactical team officers, religious purposes and medical masks.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Because of federal laws, including the Privacy Act, FBI policy prohibits the routine confirmation of the existence of investigations, the release of information on investigations, and any public report on the closing of an investigation.
    Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bars. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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