Definition of nakednext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective naked differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of naked are bald, bare, barren, and nude. While all these words mean "deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering," naked suggests absence of protective or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature, of destitution, or of defenselessness.

poor half-naked children

When would bald be a good substitute for naked?

In some situations, the words bald and naked are roughly equivalent. However, bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness.

a bald mountain peak

When could bare be used to replace naked?

The meanings of bare and naked largely overlap; however, bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable.

an apartment with bare walls

When can barren be used instead of naked?

While in some cases nearly identical to naked, barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility.

barren plains

When might nude be a better fit than naked?

The words nude and naked are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nude applies especially to the unclothed human figure.

a nude model posing for art students

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 naked Omar, who became a citizen 26 years ago, has long been an outspoken Trump critic and a target of his racist rants, and the raid was a naked display of retribution, persecution and intimidation. — James Speyer, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026 From a genuinely dark location, M31 can be spotted with the naked eye as a faint patch. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Re-Aquaint Yourself with Touch You’ve survived having your naked body examined by countless doctors, PAs, radiology technicians, nurses — not to mention being operated on — sometimes several times. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2026 Inside the spa, which costs $85 to enter, visitors will find saunas as hot as 220 degrees, cold-plunge pools, steam rooms and banya treatments that whisk naked bodies with oak leaves and essential oils. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naked
Adjective
  • As a result of his refusal to engage in this element of operational security (opsec), the soldier, Daniel Barton-Kennedy, had his phone hacked, and nude photos of himself were stolen and used as blackmail against him.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Another image depicts a nude girl in a room that appears to be part of a motel chain in the Philippines, federal investigators said.
    — Max Foster, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • An adjacent overpass over Agoura Road, as well as a land bridge still being built between the structures, are currently bare.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Dry brushing uses a brush with rigid bristles made of boar hair, plant material or synthetic fibers to exfoliate bare, dry skin.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Cutforth found a wide-open Riley with a simple swing pass out to the left, giving the junior running back plenty of space to showcase his speed and beat several Rams defensive backs to find the end zone.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Made of large, rigid plastic panels, Hardig’s invention was designed to be weather- and insect-proof, simple to clean and maintain, and lightweight and easy to move.
    — Sarah Kuta, Popular Science, 8 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The end result would be a gassy surface shining as brightly as a more exposed black hole but with the Balmer break and smooth red hump of a 5,000-kelvin star, de Graaff and Naidu theorized.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Morgan Stanley said Equinix and Digital Realty are less exposed because their facilities average roughly 5 to 10 megawatts, far below the gigawatt-scale AI campuses planned by hyperscalers and neocloud operators.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Teghaza 001 is named after a salt plain in the West African country of Mali, where meteorite hunters discovered it in 2022.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The anodyne-sounding replacement show is fittingly about that which seems plain or banal.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The salt helps the meat retain moisture, while an uncovered rest in the fridge dries the skin for better browning—no bucket required.
    — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Bowl of food stored on top of uncovered beans in the prep table.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Justman called the actor in for an audition against the wishes of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, who didn’t think a bald Brit could be the face of the new series.
    — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In a trailer for the upcoming film released on October 27, the actor went nearly bald while showing off asymmetrical eyebrows.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Charlotte won the rebound battle 51 to 44, but left the Pistons open way too often and were sloppy with the ball, committing 25 turnovers.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Residents were also advised to install window screens and chimney caps, secure exterior doors and avoid leaving unscreened windows open, particularly while sleeping.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Naked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naked. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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