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

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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 spot fills up with locals and tourists alike. Heather Bien, Southern Living, 14 June 2026 This no-frills pick is lightweight, versatile, and easy to dress up or down—whether you’re headed to the office, a park hang, or a casual date night. Annie Blackman, InStyle, 10 June 2026 This is no-frills Jamaican jerk chicken, ribs and pork served in overstuffed takeout boxes. Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2026 There's something luxurious about having water next to your bed in a gorgeous vessel, even if that vessel is a no-frills glass-and-cork combo. Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for no-frills
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-frills
Adjective
  • Remember, Slate’s promising something with no screens and crank windows; even Ford’s fairly spartan Maverick pickup has that spec sheet handily beat.
    Byron Hurd, The Drive, 24 June 2026
  • Was Kenzaburo Oe, for example, subjected to the same spartan toilet seat?
    Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • The questions Campbell needs to answer are simple.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 25 June 2026
  • Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple.
    Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Untethered from the austere restrictions of the flat cap, the trade activity felt freer and more creative.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • The palettes are often chalky and austere—bleached grays, oxidized browns—and the subject matter can blur into undifferentiated bulk.
    Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“No-frills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-frills. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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