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
The initiative highlights beer's enduring role in community, from local bars to global celebrations, emphasizing connection over mere consumption. Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Those are followed by snack bites (+28%) and cereal bars (+20%). Parents, 7 Aug. 2026 Some bars with nuts and seeds offer better balance, but many lean more toward dessert than a truly nourishing snack. Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 7 Aug. 2026 The Leaky Tiki Mug was featured on one of Sac Ohana’s tours of home bars. Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Local public schools cut 50,000 jobs in July, restaurants and bars 26,000, retailers 19,000. Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 For many, the Salted Nut Roll and Nut Goodie bars carried memories that lasted long after the wrapper was gone. Frankie McLister, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Because for sports spread thin across multiple broadcasters, and fewer bars, the headache for fans is only getting sharper. Leo MacLehose, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026 Sunday — as bars in the Cow Hollow area of San Francisco were closing — in the vicinity of Balboa Cafe at Greenwich and Fillmore streets. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Verb
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 Maryland law even bars lawsuits against the state or its officers for transactions conducted under the sale provision. Mark Lewyn, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2026 Those letters also pointed out that the National Voter Registration Act bars election officials from systematically canceling voter registrations during the 90-day period before a federal election. Miles Parks, NPR, 31 July 2026 State law does not cap how much a landlord can raise the rent when a lease renews, and Pennsylvania also bars cities and counties from passing their own rent-control ordinances. Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 31 July 2026 This decision effectively bars new models from receiving necessary FCC authorization, significantly impacting Chinese manufacturers who currently dominate the global humanoid robot market. John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 To keep the research impartial, all researchers must sign a legal agreement that bars them from trading on Polymarket or similar platforms while they are involved with the institute. Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 29 July 2026 Federal criminal law already bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections. James Robenalt, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bars
Noun
  • An open floor plan and exposed solid wood beams set a lovely tone for this beautiful home, as does the vintage wood-burning stove and Dutch-style farm doors.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Archaeologists recently uncovered charred wooden beams in Jerusalem dating back roughly 2,600 years — likely remnants of the destruction of Solomon's Temple.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Constant price alerts, streaks and one-tap trades work the same way.
    Daniel Schlaepfer, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Those remnants collide with Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speeds, producing streaks of light known as shooting stars.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Look for tunnels, mounds, runways, and feeding damage, and consider whether your plants or soil are bearing the brunt of the problem.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Pine trees coat the forest floor with mounds of flammable dead leaves that are springy underfoot but which can smolder long after a blaze.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • According to data from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), there were 44,650 pubs nationwide in 2025, compared with 60,800 in 2000.
    Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Every August, the city transforms into a global stage as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival and a host of other cultural celebrations fill its streets, theaters and pubs with artists and visitors from around the world.
    Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 31 July 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
  • For many commercial fleets, access to fueling has remained one of the biggest obstacles to adopting natural gas vehicles.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
  • If the organization is behind on its goals, the CEO may need to take a more active role in key initiatives to help remove obstacles and encourage progress.
    John Abusaid, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Manchester United have, by elite Premier League standards, had a quiet summer 2026 window.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • When the agency tried to make those standards mandatory in 2023, states challenged the rule, and it was withdrawn.
    Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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