1
as in mere
being this and no more
impoverished people who can no longer afford the bare necessities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
do you want to know the bare truth?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in exposed
lacking a usual or natural covering
the ground was bare, without a trace of grass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in naked
lacking or shed of clothing
the toddler liked to run around bare
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
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
6
as in void
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected
the cupboard was bare of baking supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
With only six picks going in and a cupboard bare of first-round possibilities, trading up didn’t make much sense in terms of adding depth to the roster.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Celebs including Chrissy Teigen, John Stamos, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum and more have dared to bare and invited fans inside their shower stall to get a glimpse of their gorgeous getting-ready routines.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bare
Adjective
However, the warring parties failed to start second round of talks in Islamabad this week, laying bare key sticking points to a definitive resolution to the fighting.
—Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
With only six picks going in and a cupboard bare of first-round possibilities, trading up didn’t make much sense in terms of adding depth to the roster.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Streep later argued that women in power often must bare arms on television while men are covered in a suit and tie or a shirt.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
Celebs including Chrissy Teigen, John Stamos, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum and more have dared to bare and invited fans inside their shower stall to get a glimpse of their gorgeous getting-ready routines.
—Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bare
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare
Adjective
-
An anonymous trader made off with more than $400,000 on Polymarket, another such website, after betting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would be toppled from office by the end of January, mere hours before Maduro was arrested.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Yet as the focus remains on federal politics, our state legislative maps and the unfairness of them cannot be a mere afterthought.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The overall aesthetic was slightly ascetic without being spartan—a pale, neutral color palette; simple, modern furniture; a few pieces of abstract art.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
This translates to the Gap cardigan sweater and the Levi’s shorts paired with the flats for a simple, slightly elevated look that feels comfortable.—
Isis Briones,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the past a bundle of extensions could conjure images of the exposed, holding-on-by-a-strand mishaps of the early aughts.—
Hunter Lacey,
Allure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The objective is to reduce exposed equity within the entity in a lawful and structured manner.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In theory, this could be a standard beauty modification, like Ingres tossing a few extra vertebrae into a naked back.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
But when Jeff got naked in public, the New York Establishment utterly rejected him.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Too often, supporters have felt the players have struggled to even offer that, with meek away performances against Sunderland (3-0 defeat), Brighton & Hove Albion (2-0 defeat) and Everton (2-0 defeat) displaying a side devoid of belief and beaten before kick-off.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to the entire resort being devoid of single-use plastic, the property also participates in marine conservation efforts that include coral restoration and turtle rehabilitation.—
Christina Liao,
Vogue,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
New research reveals a potential link between GLP-1 drugs and improvements in myriad health conditions, including sleep apnea, joint pain, liver disease, heart disease, asthma, and even addiction.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The strike reveals how Russia’s invasion has made once-unthinkable nuclear security threats a reality.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In plain language, that means that the Pocket 4 was submitted to the FCC, but did not get the okay from the agency ahead of DJI securing a place on the Covered List.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The 62nd overall selection is khaki pants and plain white t-shirt.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Five-star hotels in the Pakistani capital have been empty, awaiting diplomatic delegations for a next round of negotiations this week between Iran and the US.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Police officers advised a dispatcher that the suspect vehicle was empty and no children were located inside.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bare.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bare. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
