as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
I'm telling the unvarnished truth
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 unvarnished
Famed journalist and author Joan Didion’s life and work are celebrated in this unvarnished portrait by her nephew, actor and director Griffin Dunne.
—
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
Among the reasons cited for Platt’s dismissal was the perception that, under his administration, the city had lost the public’s trust by prioritizing positive public relations and branding over disseminating unvarnished information.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025
The competition will give viewers an unvarnished look behind the curtain of comedy’s darkest corners and brightest spotlights with the challenges inspired by comics’ actual career trajectories.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025
In times of crisis, the markets turn to Dimon as a source of clear and unvarnished authority.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unvarnished
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
Among the reasons cited for Platt’s dismissal was the perception that, under his administration, the city had lost the public’s trust by prioritizing positive public relations and branding over disseminating unvarnished information.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025
The competition will give viewers an unvarnished look behind the curtain of comedy’s darkest corners and brightest spotlights with the challenges inspired by comics’ actual career trajectories.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025
In times of crisis, the markets turn to Dimon as a source of clear and unvarnished authority.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unvarnished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unvarnished
Adjective
-
Don’t pull over in the roundabout Roundabouts with a single lane of traffic in each direction are fairly simple – yield to traffic in the roundabout, wait for a gap in traffic and go through, Bryson said.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
This can be as simple as bodyweight movements, resistance bands or dumbbells, focusing on compound/functional movements like squats, pushes and pulls.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Music industry machinations are mostly to blame; a higher supply of albums means more sales, which translates into chart performance and popularity and plain old checks to cash.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The locker rooms and antechambers behind the scenes are drab and plain.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The whole movie feels, if anything too realistic; an unflashy, unadorned terror borne from a real-life virus.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Jarmusch may not be explicitly referencing Carver, though both artists have made an unadorned style their identity.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
So with that, don’t expect naked dressing to go anywhere anytime soon—Dakota Johnson still has much to say on the matter, with gala and awards seasons very much in motion now.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Wandering among the half naked nymphs and leering wolves and buff mermen poking their lovely wet heads out of glassy forest pools, their eyes dark with wanting to drag her down to oblivion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unvarnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unvarnished. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share