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Definition of barenext
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bare

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bare differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bare are bald, barren, naked, and nude. While all these words mean "deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering," bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable.

an apartment with bare walls

When might bald be a better fit than bare?

The synonyms bald and bare are sometimes interchangeable, but bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness.

a bald mountain peak

When is it sensible to use barren instead of bare?

The words barren and bare can be used in similar contexts, but barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility.

barren plains

In what contexts can naked take the place of bare?

While in some cases nearly identical to bare, naked suggests absence of protective or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature, of destitution, or of defenselessness.

poor half-naked children

Where would nude be a reasonable alternative to bare?

While the synonyms nude and bare are close in meaning, nude applies especially to the unclothed human figure.

a nude model posing for art students

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 bare
Adjective
When winter seems to stretch on and on—and our homes feel suddenly bare inside—the best way to beat the blues is by bringing a little cheer inside. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026 Though Nebraska struggled up front on defense last year, its cupboard is not bare on the D-line. Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Gabriel Ebert was immaculately cast as the teens’ seeming ally of a teacher, and Sink and her castmates all bared their teeth and howled their humanity at the moon. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025 Whenever Faye tried to approach Pebbles and interact, the black dog would instantly bare her teeth or refuse to acknowledge the small pup. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare
Adjective
  • Several such instances have created controversy, with some community advocates saying the mere presence of city police alongside immigration agents erodes trust with migrant communities.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The mere mention of bed bugs is enough to send a shiver down the spine.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Even as Trump looks to boost American hydrocarbon profits in Venezuela, the gas tap for Europe is a simple – and likely effective – tool that could be used as leverage by the White House.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Brooklyn Councilmember Lincoln Restler participated in a double red blood cell donation, calling it a simple but powerful way to help others.
    Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The room has a Prohibition Era feel, with its exposed brick bar, antique marble floors, warm lighting and leather barstools.
    Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 13 Jan. 2026
  • During that intrusion, the attacker discovered an exposed API that could be used to access customer information linked to 700Credit's dealership clients.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • All lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye at all times.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Indiana might have been the best team in the country during the regular season – and postseason – but even a naked eye could notice Brooks’ absence during UCLA’s 50-point defeat in Bloomington.
    Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024
Verb
  • In doing so, something incredible is revealed — the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower will coincide with a total solar eclipse.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Earth's moon is an awe-inspiring sight, especially when viewed through the magnifying eyepiece of a telescope, which helps reveal the incredible array of craters scarring its ancient surface.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Use plain cabinet doors with simple hardware, add streamlined seating and lights, and keep surfaces clutter-free.
    Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
  • The future of investing may be expressed in plain English.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • But the duo ultimately stayed more than nine months because of technical issues that cropped up en route with the Starliner vehicle — which NASA opted to fly home empty due to safety concerns.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
  • More than two years removed from the pandemic, only half of state workers are back downtown compared to levels in 2019, and empty state office buildings are sitting in limbo.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bare. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.

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