as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
a meat-and-potatoes knowledge of figure skating is all that a spectator really needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in root
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
an article that never gets into the meat and potatoes of a solution to the city's rising crime rate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of meat-and-potatoes
Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
These preparations go beyond the meat-and-potatoes approach, bringing a worldview to the table in memorable ways.
—Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
That’s meat and potatoes y’all.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes
Adjective
Was Nansi simply a meat-and-potatoes, fourth-line player?
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
These preparations go beyond the meat-and-potatoes approach, bringing a worldview to the table in memorable ways.
—Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Plural noun
Save as a collection on MyRecipes To some, the definition of a comforting dinner is meat and potatoes.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
That’s meat and potatoes y’all.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meat-and-potatoes
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meat-and-potatoes
Adjective
-
People were detained on the basis of their appearance or accent, and the violent encounters on the streets made many residents afraid to go out even to purchase groceries or other basic necessities.—
Kica Matos,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Schumer and his caucus are right to demand that ICE stop its terror tactics as basic conditions for any DHS funding agreement.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This introductory program provides the elementary knowledge needed to learn this fun hobby.—
Melissa Grzybowski,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
-
During her first year as superintendent, Rogers saw improvements in elementary reading literacy and math scores and a decrease in absenteeism.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Register now and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The book, which is now required for introductory sociology courses at Florida State University, was edited down from 669 pages to 267.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Our systems suppress not only Black excellence, but also our rudimentary human rights (do read up on how the British education system fails Black boys).—
Raven Smith,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Fredlund said the average playground in the Central American country is rudimentary.—
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Costa, the club’s homegrown captain who joined at 12 and has been the undisputed No 1 since 2021-22, has been fundamental to that.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Residents at Tuesday’s meeting argued that the technology itself — and the inherent potential for abuse — remains the fundamental problem.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meat-and-potatoes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meat-and-potatoes. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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