bars 1 of 2

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 bars
Noun
Less than a 10-minute drive away is Castellammare del Golfo, full of eateries, stores, and bars. Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026 Also during the restoration, the race-style, roll-over hoop behind the driver was removed, and rear chrome nudge bars were added. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026 Mayar said large crowds remain in uptown after midnight around bars, events and games, and that violence has continued even after the food vendors were forced to close earlier. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026 Frozen fruit bars recalled Some Outshine Fruit Bars distributed nationwide have been voluntarily recalled because they may be contaminated with glass, according to a report from the FDA. Melina Khan, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Three bars and restaurants in Chinatown confirmed the three-day closure to The Associated Press. ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 For one thing, if strangers in bars talked to one another this much, America might not be in a romance slump. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 Police Dendermonde posted a series of pictures that included 49 gold bars laid out on a table, a bucket of gold coins and officers appearing to log the findings on a computer. Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026 The seasonal treat will be available in instant-consumable snack-size packs, as well as regular and king-size bars and a six-pack made for sharing. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
Recently ousted Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov escalates tensions by publicly demanding wartime elections, challenging Zelensky’s authority even as Ukraine’s constitution bars national votes under martial law and protests follow his removal. Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Friedman said Forbes’ employee handbook—which, according to the Times, requires staff to seek permission before engaging in outside business activities and bars personal gain from company relationships—likely functions as a binding contract. Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 The federal Internet Tax Freedom Act bars the taxation of e-commerce if similar services are not taxed. ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 Hoskins claims that the campaign is unconstitutional and that the Missouri Constitution bars citizens from voting on redistricting. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026 The law bars police from using chokeholds or any form of physical restraint that can restrict a suspect’s ability to breathe. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 California law bars law enforcement officers and firefighters from striking against public employers, instead providing dispute-resolution procedures for labor impasses. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026 The law bars force, threats, or physical obstruction intended to interfere with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2026 Thursday’s party-line vote repealed the national broadcast ownership rule, which bars a single company from reaching more than 39% of US TV households over the public airwaves. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bars
Noun
  • Bunches from the two beams will collide every 10 nanoseconds in ePIC (the Electron-Proton/Ion Collider Detector), a house-sized system that will record the aftermath of these collisions.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Deluxe Superior rooms offer another take on the island fantasy with their ceilings with original beams, antique furniture, decorative fireplaces, and large windows.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But those streaks are on the line Friday when formidable opponents visit those Orlando-area schools.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
  • One of the nation’s longest losing streaks in high school football ended Friday night.
    Caitlyn Stroh-Page, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Phenomenal™ lavender thrives where other lavender plants fail – tolerating humidity, heat, and even clay soil, all while producing mounds of fragrant foliage and dazzling blooms.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The dough isn’t rolled or cut; instead, spoonfuls of soft biscuit dough are dropped directly over the fruit, forming crisp, golden mounds with fluffy centers.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Thirsty visitors to Wrexham are well served by The Turf, once the location of the club’s dressing rooms and now one of the most recognisable football pubs in the country thanks to the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The country’s beloved pubs, known for serving cheap drinks and small snacks, have long been a staple of Japan’s nightlife culture.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Based upon their replies, occupying Allied officials ranked their culpability, then tried the worst offenders — most famously in the Nuremberg trials, but also in numerous local tribunals.
    Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Lawmakers are prohibited by the state Constitution from being paid representatives for individuals or entities before state agencies other than judicial tribunals.
    Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • Dad and kid navigate various obstacles and their own family issues in a touching story exploring grief and adulthood.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The design is meant to move around any obstacles, including the free weights collection near your pilates mat, meaning no more sweaty spots in your home gym.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Rooms are spacious by Tokyo standards and reliably comfortable, with the service consistency that makes Marriott a default for travelers who don't want any (unpleasant) surprises.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Crib standards also change, as drop-sided cribs were banned from manufacture in 2011, with the most recent crib regulation update being August 1, 2026.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Opt for scalloped French tips with blue fresco detailing, or stripes the color of the Tuscan sun.
    Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bars.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bars. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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