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nude

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noun

as in nudity
the state of having no clothes on one's body the artist painted some models in the nude

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective nude differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of nude are bald, bare, barren, and naked. While all these words mean "deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering," nude applies especially to the unclothed human figure.

a nude model posing for art students

In what contexts can bald take the place of nude?

While in some cases nearly identical to nude, bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness.

a bald mountain peak

When is bare a more appropriate choice than nude?

While the synonyms bare and nude are close in meaning, bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable.

an apartment with bare walls

When can barren be used instead of nude?

The meanings of barren and nude largely overlap; however, barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility.

barren plains

When would naked be a good substitute for nude?

The synonyms naked and nude are sometimes interchangeable, but naked suggests absence of protective or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature, of destitution, or of defenselessness.

poor half-naked children

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 nude
Adjective
Justices unanimously upheld the conviction and death sentence of Steven Matthew Wolf in the murder of Michelle Osborne, whose nude body was found by a fisherman in Marathon. News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2025 This limited-edition collection features five nude shades in crepe satin, and is also available in black, red and the Alta style, which features a platform and a six-inch heel. Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Noun
For definition, McGrath’s pro tip is to line just outside your lips with a nude (like 12: Contour) for more volume then diffusing with a brush. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 June 2025 Then there’s Sanyu, a painter whose signature nudes — their flat perspective and flowing calligraphic lines informed as much by his Chinese art education as French modernism — now attract astronomical sums. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nude
naked
Adjective
  • Meteor showers are best observed with the naked eye, with a telescope or binoculars a poor choice.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • As the name indicates, these insects are nearly impossible to see with your naked eye.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 15 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nude. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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