BARE Synonyms: 303 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bare 1 of 2

adjective

ˈber

Definition of bare next

as in mere

being this and no more impoverished people who can no longer afford the bare necessities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in simple

free from all additions or embellishment do you want to know the bare truth?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exposed

lacking a usual or natural covering the ground was bare, without a trace of grass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in naked

lacking or shed of clothing the toddler liked to run around bare

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in devoid

lacking contents that could or should be present the cupboard was bare—not a thing to eat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in void

utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected the cupboard was bare of baking supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bare

2 of 2

verb

ˈber

as in to reveal

to make known (as information previously kept secret) finally bared the secret that she had kept to herself for so long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of bare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Living with strangers in bare rooms, showering next to them in open stalls, standing behind them in line for the comm pods — all these have taught her to be alert to more intimate scents. —

Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024 For a look that’s both trendy and classic, skip the paint and let your kitchen cabinets breathe bare. —

Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2024

Verb

Wearing a white cropped long-sleeve shirt and a pair of underwear, Bieber bared her bump and stared off into the distance. —

Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2024 But in her new memoir The Third Gilmore Girl, published by Gallery Books on Sept. 17, Bishop bares all. —

Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bare

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bare.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.