NAKED Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

naked

adjective

ˈnā-kəd

Definition of naked next

as in nude

lacking or shed of clothing had recurrent nightmares about being naked in public

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bare

lacking a usual or natural covering the winter trees now look so naked without their colorful fall foliage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in simple

free from all additions or embellishment a naked room waiting for an interior decorator's inspired touch

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Examples of naked in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hence the obtuse rabbis, the cowering Uncle Yasha, and, in Aliyah of the 1990s, the naked Russian woman, presumably a prostitute, presenting herself doggy-style. —

Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2024 The mini moon is too small and dim to be visible with the naked eye or most ordinary telescopes. —

Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 29 Sep. 2024 And if flashing her chest wasn’t enough, the naked dress also revealed her black undies. —

Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2024 Canis Minor has only two notable stars bright enough to be seen with the naked eye; alongside Procyon is Gomeisa, which shines at the dog’s neck. —

Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for naked

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'naked.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.