as in austere
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious
accommodations on the windjammer are spartan but clean and comfortable nevertheless
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Recent Examples of spartan
Plot details are under wraps but according to the spartan official synopsis, the psychological thriller unfolds in a seemingly idyllic and takes audiences on a vertiginous dive into the shifting limits of a sound mind, as grief and obsession take hold.
—
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
The modern extension in the rear of the 19th-century main villa is an elegantly spartan affair that somehow complements the 19th-century edifice and brings in the surrounding foliage.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
His solution is to hide technology behind spartan interfaces.
—Diana Budds, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
The learning center used to be a hostel, its spartan facilities a challenge, a lawyer mom told Lilian, for the stay-at-home mothers who would otherwise have been perfect candidates for the task of chaperoning.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
The operatives, mostly men and women in their late twenties, sat in a circle in the spartan safe house with a single, small light and no furniture.
—Jason Burke, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Osteria Historically speaking, an osteria was a spartan, no-frills establishment where people would go to have a drink.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
While many sports cars are spartan in their functional aesthetic, including the Mercedes-AMG GT, which shares engine architecture with Aston Martin, the Vantage S feels different due to its elegant lines and abjectly opulent interior.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
Freed from any sort of period accuracy, Davies tried to start the house in a spartan, memory-like state, as Cathy and Heathcliff would remember it from childhood.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
The modern extension in the rear of the 19th-century main villa is an elegantly spartan affair that somehow complements the 19th-century edifice and brings in the surrounding foliage.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
His solution is to hide technology behind spartan interfaces.
—Diana Budds, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2026
The learning center used to be a hostel, its spartan facilities a challenge, a lawyer mom told Lilian, for the stay-at-home mothers who would otherwise have been perfect candidates for the task of chaperoning.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
The operatives, mostly men and women in their late twenties, sat in a circle in the spartan safe house with a single, small light and no furniture.
—Jason Burke, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Osteria Historically speaking, an osteria was a spartan, no-frills establishment where people would go to have a drink.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
While many sports cars are spartan in their functional aesthetic, including the Mercedes-AMG GT, which shares engine architecture with Aston Martin, the Vantage S feels different due to its elegant lines and abjectly opulent interior.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
Freed from any sort of period accuracy, Davies tried to start the house in a spartan, memory-like state, as Cathy and Heathcliff would remember it from childhood.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spartan
Adjective
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King Charles famously loathed his time at the boarding school, but Peter seems to have thrived in the austere Scottish landscape, becoming head boy of the institution before graduating.—
Stephanie Bridger-Linning,
Vanity Fair,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The palace—with its austere and elegant façade, generous spaces, high ceilings, and beautiful terraces—has been effectively preserved.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Styles for men and women are available -- all with Allbirds design philosophy that's clean, modern and perfectly simple -- lightweight, bouncy and wildly comfortable.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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On April 18, that reverence will look like music, laughter and a line of people waiting for something hot out of the fryer — a simple plate carrying stories from across the world, all landing in one place.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The only thing better than its no-frills voiceover is the muzak.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
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While there are numerous video doorbell options to consider, all with varying features, today’s deal is ideal for beginners looking to set up a no-frills video doorbell.—
Carlos Mejia,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In one impact basin, Glover noticed the stark difference in appearance between the outside and inside sections.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
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The surprise agreement came within weeks of negotiation — a stark contrast to the contentious contract negotiation three years ago when Hollywood writers went on a historic strike that partially brought the industry to a standstill.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spartan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spartan. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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