as in sparse
including only what is most basic or needed
a bare-bones website a bare-bones wedding ceremony The hotel rooms are bare-bones.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bare-bones
Some of the first, most bare-bones recipes simply called for rum, lime juice, sugar, and water.
—
Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
They are designed to be bare-bones, durable and portable.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Under Obamacare, both states were able to expand Medicaid to include more low-income residents, alleviating counties of patient loads and redirecting much of their funding for the patchwork of local programs that provided bare-bones services.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
In a back room at Stanford University, engineers have mocked up a bare-bones grocery store, complete with shelves, baskets, and a scattering of unlabeled cans.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bare-bones
Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
They are designed to be bare-bones, durable and portable.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Under Obamacare, both states were able to expand Medicaid to include more low-income residents, alleviating counties of patient loads and redirecting much of their funding for the patchwork of local programs that provided bare-bones services.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
In a back room at Stanford University, engineers have mocked up a bare-bones grocery store, complete with shelves, baskets, and a scattering of unlabeled cans.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bare-bones
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare-bones
Adjective
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The Flyers never made Sorokin work with tough shots on goal and were just flat in front of a sparse crowd largely affected by a massive winter storm.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Its acoustic arrangements are sparse and her lyrics fragmentary, but the mood is warm and inviting.—
Marissa Lorusso,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
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
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The mere mention of bed bugs is enough to send a shiver down the spine.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In the mix, too, are the many shorter and more personal expressions around the event.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Instead, it’s funneled into systems that are long on slogans and short on accountability.—
Jennifer Nassour,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Reports of damage in the school districts have been minimal.—
Anne Li,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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The result in practice tends to be gratuitous spending for minimal present gains.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bare-bones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bare-bones. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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