Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gaunt contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gaunt are lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, scrawny, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is lank a more appropriate choice than gaunt?

The words lank and gaunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

When is it sensible to use lanky instead of gaunt?

In some situations, the words lanky and gaunt are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When could lean be used to replace gaunt?

While in some cases nearly identical to gaunt, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

In what contexts can rawboned take the place of gaunt?

Although the words rawboned and gaunt have much in common, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of gaunt?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken
skinny street urchins

Where would spare be a reasonable alternative to gaunt?

The synonyms spare and gaunt are sometimes interchangeable, but spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

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 gaunt Tall and thin, bordering on gaunt, he was dressed in blue jeans, a flannel shirt, an old Army jacket, work boots, gloves and a blue wool cap. Alanna Nash, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025 And Palestinian prisoners — some of whom also emerged from Israeli jails appearing gaunt — also embraced loved ones. Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025 In the distance, a line of tall gaunt leafless trees becomes visible. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025 The relief was a big change from the shock and fury that erupted in Israel last Saturday when Hamas released three gaunt and apparently malnourished hostages and forced them to thank their captors. Johnatan Reiss, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gaunt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaunt
Adjective
  • When Claire first shows up, Sweeney’s haggard appearance is doubly shocking for anyone who’s seen how radiant the star looks in most roles.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 June 2025
  • Weinstein often looked haggard and out of it — unshaven, mouth ajar, eyes bleary.
    Phoebe Eaton, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nearly six months later her skeletal remains were discovered during the excavation of massive debris piles inside her single-family home in Glastonbury.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
  • The recruitment camp designed to grow the cartel’s numbers, known as Izaguirre ranch, contained numerous pieces of clothing, shoes, bags, and skeletal remains.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gaunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaunt. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gaunt

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