bare-bones

adjective

Definition of bare-bonesnext
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

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-bones Modern merchant ships, often bare-bones behemoths designed to offer owners the highest possible rate of return, are proving to be surprisingly vulnerable. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 There aren’t any extra features on the Pro 2, which is as bare-bones as the a01+ to keep its price low and weight light. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026 This was also a departure from the old model of farm tourism—perhaps best typified by the network of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, a platform that connects job- and experience-seekers with sometimes bare-bones accommodations. — Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026 Interest in attaining at least a bare-bones understanding in computer science — and particularly AI-enhanced coding — has exploded across different majors. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bare-bones
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare-bones
  1. sparse
  2. mere
  3. short
  4. minimal
Adjective
  • Even within the sparse and widely untouched sector, CBP is not beginning from zero.
    — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Those funds have grown ever sparser as the administration of new President Jose Antonio Kast, who took office in March, has announced cuts to the Ministry of Culture and various competitive funds for the Arts.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • This shift from mere point accumulation to empowering informed redemption is crucial as loyalty evolves from a retention tool to a growth engine for financial institutions.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • As designed for the Multivan California Beach, the bed and kitchen set weighs a mere 49 lb (22 kg)), a savings of over 80% compared to the hard bed and kitchen set in the current California Beach production lineup.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of mere
Adjective
  • Despite her openness about those trials, many still wonder, in the aftermath of her death, how yet another gifted actor who grew up in the limelight could have their story cut so short.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps better health and shorter assignments will help Cabrera harness his high-end velocity and create greater separation between his fastball and a unique changeup.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of short
Adjective
  • Second on the list is Tenerife—part of the Canary Islands—with the popular year-round destination standing out for its warm average temperatures, minimal chance of rainfall, and low cost of accommodation at £108 ($147) for a 3-night stay.
    — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Stephanie Leshney, founder of Dabble & Dollop, harnessed her more than two decades in the natural ingredient industry to create her line of minimal ingredients, especially bath bombs.
    — Faye Brookman, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of minimal

Browse Nearby Words

bare
bare-bones
bared
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Cite this Entry

“Bare-bones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bare-bones. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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