Definition of no-frillsnext
as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious a low-cost, no-frills vacation during which we camped out and cooked our own meals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 no-frills This no-frills version is made with just 3 ingredients, just like Grandma does. — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026 Emerging in the post–World War II decades, these no-frills cafés blend Cantonese tastes with Western influences, creating a cuisine that exists nowhere else. — Mimi Thorisson, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026 Refreshingly no-frills, there's enough room to hang in the cockpit, a small bathroom onboard (nothing fancy, but completely functional), and some space to move around, take in the views, and enjoy the ride. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026 Originally called Highland House, the bar opened in 1873 and has been slinging beers in a no-frills atmosphere ever since. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for no-frills
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-frills
Adjective
  • While Calvinism, weaving, deeply repressed sexuality, and passages in Scottish Gaelic don’t exactly sound like the ingredient list for a riot, Stuart builds a rich universe from these seemingly spartan forms.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The bedroom is just fine, if a little spartan, with a leafy window view and some moldings, and the main bathroom has been given a spalike treatment.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Ahead, design industry pros share the 7 decor mistakes that could be outdating your living room, along with simple fixes to refresh the space.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The equation is even simpler for Bernie Margulies, CEO of American Compute, which advises on risk management for GPU financing.
    — Kif Leswing,Isabel O'Brien,Seema Mody, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • But de Havilland, who netted two Oscars for her work in the 1940s classics To Each His Own and The Heiress, was more austere.
    — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The pieces look back to Minimalism, whose austere surfaces and heavy industrial materials menace viewers with the possibility of death and doom.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“No-frills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-frills. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster