bars 1 of 2

Definition of barsnext
plural of bar
1
as in beams
a straight piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is wide all of the prison's windows are partially covered with steel bars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in streaks
a line or long narrow section differing in color from the background the cat had a bar of white down her throat

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in mounds
a pile or ridge of granular matter (as sand or snow) more than one boater has run aground on that treacherous bar of sand in the river

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
as in tribunals
an assembly of persons for the administration of justice rather than try and convict the alleged murderer in the mass media, let justice be done at the bar

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7
as in standards
something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared we need to raise the bar for what is acceptable behavior in this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bars

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bar
1
as in stripes
to make stripes on barred the fence with white strips

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
as in guards
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point the bikeway was barred by a huge fallen tree

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 bars
Noun
There’s only one town, San Pedro, with colorful waterfront restaurants and breezy beach bars perfect for sunset rum punches. Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026 Now just a few months after a jury sentenced Resecker to 65 years behind bars, the teenager is appealing the prison term and arguing for a new trial. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 The 100 block of North Lexington Avenue is lined with shops, restaurants and bars, maps show. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026 Physical gold bars and coins differ from gold IRAs, which differ from gold ETFs, gold futures and stocks, and each comes with unique pros and cons. Matt Richardson, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026 Cut into 16 mini bars, about 1 by 2 inches each. Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026 Tart cranberries are paired with zesty lemon in these colorful bars. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026 Jason Romero is adding a second location for his business in a place many restaurants and bars overlook – Virginia Village. Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026 Though each resort has a distinct area on the larger property, guests can roam between all three, using the different pools, bars, and restaurants. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
Religion — Neutrality at risk The First Amendment bars the establishment of religion while protecting free exercise. Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026 State law currently bars Illinois school boards from paying members. Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026 The label bars defense contractors and vendors from using Anthropic’s technology in their Pentagon work. Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026 Petro is ineligible for reelection because the constitution bars a sitting president from running for a consecutive second term. ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026 Andrade’s bill bars any future third-party diversions from money refunded to the state. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026 Kansas also bars people from voting while on parole or probation, but no legislation has passed either chamber to end its prohibition. Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026 The order, which bars Tyler from direct contact or communication with Holzman, remains in effect until August 13. Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2026 Ohio, like many other states, has a Son of Sam law that bars individuals from profiting from crimes with book and movie deals. Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bars
Noun
  • These tiny emitters resemble miniature ski jumps that launch beams of light into free space.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Vaulted ceilings and exposed timber beams define the open-concept living spaces.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Researchers say the streaks were likely formed by debris spun off from Dimorphos' binary companion, Didymos, that drifted between the two bodies and landed in slow-motion impacts.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
  • When players defend titles or compile winning streaks, a sense of inevitability can be attached to them.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Remnants of shell middens (high mounds of shells accumulated from long term group settlement) can still be found within the reserve.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Followers of the Hopewell tradition constructed the Toolesboro mounds.
    Michael Plummer, Des Moines Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • At the helm of all this fanfare is Oisin Rogers, an old-school landlord who has been working in London pubs for 30 years.
    Sarah Allard, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
  • The three pubs are Molly Malone's Irish Pub, Flanagan's Ale House, and O'Shea's Irish Pub.
    Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But through a series of deft legal maneuvers—joined to the ever more ambitious self-concepts of some international legal tribunals—Mauritius was able to win a second legal victory at another international tribunal, for the law of the sea.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The position will also represent the department in front of administrative tribunals such as the State Personnel Board and the California Department of Human Resources as well as assist the attorney general’s office on civil litigation matters.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • At full height, the ship has an air draft of about 328 feet, but the tilting system enables the masts to lower when necessary, allowing the vessel to pass beneath bridges or other obstacles along its route, The Maritime Executive writes.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
  • The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Can software alone meet safety standards once defined by mechanical systems?
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The Downey Fire Department rescue vehicle that responded was not equipped with a Tremco anti-theft locking device required under state law and applicable Fire Department standards, the family’s attorneys argue.
    Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The constitution of the International Telecommunication Union prohibits harmful interference with the radio navigation satellite signal band.
    Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The bill also prohibits anyone from shooting a gun within 1,000 feet of a school during operating hours or during school events.
    Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bars. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bars

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster