nude 1 of 2

Definition of nudenext

nude

2 of 2

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

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
Instead of sticking with the usual brown base, this tortoiseshell design uses a sheer nude base topped with brown and black layered spots. Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 13 Apr. 2026 Some women said Swalwell sent them unsolicited nude images or explicit messages. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
Frosted-glass sconces on the walls bear bas-relief nudes in classical repose. Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026 Londontown Sugarcane For those still sticking true to neutrals, step outside the Ballet Slippers box with a metallic taupe nude that offers a bit of warmth just as the spring and summer glow is getting started. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nude
Adjective
  • In theory, this could be a standard beauty modification, like Ingres tossing a few extra vertebrae into a naked back.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • But when Jeff got naked in public, the New York Establishment utterly rejected him.
    Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Instead of explicit nudity, the film rests on stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi to deliver the heady energy.
    Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
  • An easy comparison with the version available concurrently on PPOV showed the omission of Sidney Sweeney’s partial nudity in the steamy scenes that helped turn Paul Feig’s rebooting of the 1990s erotic thriller into one of the year’s megahits.
    Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Nude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nude. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

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