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 This bare-bones edition is certainly fine and will get you through many a meal. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026 The council then took up the bare-bones $283,193 option for Route 42 only. — Noah Daly august 20, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026 Sure, there are way too many people asking for drawings of obscure anime characters that are nearly impossible to pull off with the bare-bones MS-Paint-like tool in two-and-a-half minutes. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for bare-bones
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare-bones
  1. sparse
  2. mere
  3. short
  4. minimal
Adjective
  • The Kings began in 1967 before a sparse crowd in Long Beach, as executive Alan Rothenberg helped sell a skeptical Southern California on hockey’s place in a warm-weather city.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • A couple of decades later, however, Ryan Field gamedays often seemed sparse.
    — Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • The Chiefs trailed until the fourth quarter, when Kenneth Walker III rushed for a pair of touchdowns mere seconds apart.
    — Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
  • As such, the narratives constructed by mainstream media outlets are not mere reflections of events but active tools of persuasion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of mere
Adjective
  • The quick short corner surprised Greenville (6-16-5), and Barea hit the edge of the 18-yard box before lifting a cross to the far post.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Each snapshot showed the electron distribution at a slightly different moment, allowing the researchers to follow quantum motion that occurs on extremely short timescales.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of short
Adjective
  • The original design, which debuted during artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière’s show, featured some yellow elements throughout, including at the bust layered effect and the minimal seams just beneath the bustline.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Streamlined and minimal, the only bells and whistles in Branch’s office furniture are details that make a real difference throughout the workday (like adjustable arm rests and flexible lumbar support).
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of minimal

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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 10 Oct. 2026.

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