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
FourLeaf Credit Union is an excellent choice for those looking for a credit union mortgage lender and a no-frills loan at a lower-than-average rate.
—
Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
Osteria Historically speaking, an osteria was a spartan, no-frills establishment where people would go to have a drink.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
In this no-frills case, the only aspect left from of Christopher Fitzer’s magnificently metaphoric scenic design is a big projection screen with a revolving series of Lehman Brothers images (projections designed by Eric Scanlon).
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, another National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance winner, gently calms red, scaly skin with no-frills ingredients that get the job done.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for no-frills
Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
Osteria Historically speaking, an osteria was a spartan, no-frills establishment where people would go to have a drink.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
In this no-frills case, the only aspect left from of Christopher Fitzer’s magnificently metaphoric scenic design is a big projection screen with a revolving series of Lehman Brothers images (projections designed by Eric Scanlon).
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, another National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance winner, gently calms red, scaly skin with no-frills ingredients that get the job done.
—Sarah Felbin, Allure, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for no-frills
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-frills
Adjective
-
The modern extension in the rear of the 19th-century main villa is an elegantly spartan affair that somehow complements the 19th-century edifice and brings in the surrounding foliage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His solution is to hide technology behind spartan interfaces.—
Diana Budds,
Architectural Digest,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Engineers have developed a simple strategy to help robots remain stable while repairing satellites in orbit by using a second robotic arm to counterbalance movements.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Housed in a minimal, austere space, Azumi’s refined technique and meticulous attention to craft create an intimate, zero-distraction dining experience.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The opening looks were austere by design.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“No-frills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-frills. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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