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
Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando.
—
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
And if the idea of minimalist furniture brings to mind uncomfortable, bare-bones seating, think again.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
And their unprecedented early departure leaves behind a bare-bones staff to look after the outpost.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
From high-fashion runways to interior decor showrooms, the minimalism trend touched every corner of the design world, with creatives finding new ways to cut off the excess and focus on shape, quality, and bare-bones beauty.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bare-bones
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
And if the idea of minimalist furniture brings to mind uncomfortable, bare-bones seating, think again.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
And their unprecedented early departure leaves behind a bare-bones staff to look after the outpost.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
From high-fashion runways to interior decor showrooms, the minimalism trend touched every corner of the design world, with creatives finding new ways to cut off the excess and focus on shape, quality, and bare-bones beauty.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bare-bones
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare-bones
Adjective
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But interest in that format waned as defense and effort became increasingly sparse, and the game hit rock bottom in 2024 when the East beat the West, 211-186.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
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In the first halves of the games in this stretch, the offense has been brutally inefficient and sparse.—
Jannelle Moore,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Much like Hawkins and Nolte, the mere presence of Leigh increases the quality of any movie by 33 percent.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
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Beyond mere biology or even emotions, some philosophers and psychologists contend that love is also a practice.—
Tucker J. Gregor,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Jones’s personal style — a quirky, at times ill-fitting wardrobe of short skirts, cleavage-revealing tops, mumsy cardigans, granny pants and long scarves — helped cement her character into an unforgettable part of noughties pop culture history.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Larger groups might be interested in the Grove Lodge, a short walk from the Mountain House, which has six individual rooms and a great foyer that can be booked for one group stay or individually.—
Katie Mathews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Elevate your favorite color by gluing on some 3D gems and studs for a stunning look with minimal effort.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 2026
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Oklahoma has around 130,000 private water wells, essentially straws that drink from shallow groundwater reserves with minimal filtration, increasing the risk of contamination.—
Nick Bowlin,
The Frontier,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bare-bones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bare-bones. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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