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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Recent Examples of no-frills
Goodstop stores are smaller, no-frills locations that focus on fuel and snacks without a full kitchen.
—
Philip Joens, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 2026
Southwest Airlines this year launched its first no-frills basic fares that stipulate those customers will board last and get a seat assignment at check-in and earn miles at a lower rate than more expensive fares.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
The Taco Stop's buzzing Midtown Fort Collins dining room is a far cry from the restaurant's roots, which took hold more than a decade ago after owners Cesar Lopez and Berenice Longoria tried their luck selling steak street tacos to late-night crowds out of their no-frills food cart.
—Mary Lebus, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2025
This no-frills crowd pleaser just made taco night a whole lot easier and equally as satisfying.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for no-frills
Philip Joens, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 2026
Southwest Airlines this year launched its first no-frills basic fares that stipulate those customers will board last and get a seat assignment at check-in and earn miles at a lower rate than more expensive fares.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
The Taco Stop's buzzing Midtown Fort Collins dining room is a far cry from the restaurant's roots, which took hold more than a decade ago after owners Cesar Lopez and Berenice Longoria tried their luck selling steak street tacos to late-night crowds out of their no-frills food cart.
—Mary Lebus, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2025
This no-frills crowd pleaser just made taco night a whole lot easier and equally as satisfying.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for no-frills
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-frills
Adjective
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Better is Danny Elfman’s spartan and fraught score, particularly the dyspeptic drums.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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Gottlieb believes the spartan ethos of improv made a big mark on his former housemate.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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This simple taupe geometric style peel-and-stick wallpaper is affordable, easy to apply, and looks gorgeous without being too bold or loud.—
Brittney Morgan,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
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The simple addition of zipper detailing adds a preppy energy to the top.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Visitors cannot enter the repositories, but walkways along the exterior allow close views of the austere wooden structures and their distinctive clay-and-charcoal foundations.—
Navya Verma,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Jan. 2026
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The 4% rule of retirement puts you on an austere budget in your leisure years.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“No-frills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-frills. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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