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
Sphere also has hospitality suites on level three with their own restrooms, bars, and suite attendants. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 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 City Hall bars saw an increase in spending of 166%, while watering holes in the greater downtown area saw an 86% spike. Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 13 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 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
Verb
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bars
Noun
  • During filming, wood beams ran across the ceiling in the kitchen, which had a brick wall, a fireplace, and a butcher-block island.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • The images also showed streaks of surface dust and rocks created by the collision.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Díaz, Chandler Simpson and Taylor Walls each extended hitting streaks to 10 games.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Gardener Tomoki Kato crafted a multilayered landscape featuring undulating mounds, red pine trees, a weeping cherry tree, and a pond.
    Joanna Kawecki, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Ahead, pest pros share how to safely get rid of fire ant mounds and help keep them under control.
    Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 14 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
  • If the state case does go forward after the likely appeals are exhausted, there are obstacles that could get in the way of a potential trial.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
  • If trading partners try to mount further obstacles to Chinese exports, Beijing could turn to tools of economic coercion, such as restricted access to refined critical minerals, to compel other countries to keep their markets open.
    Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Another question is whether this sentencing met the standards of credible transitional justice.
    Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Standard rooms already feel generous by Vegas standards, and suites step up to apartment-like layouts, with separate living areas that make longer stays or work trips more comfortable.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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