RAWBONED Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'rawboned' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rawboned are gaunt , lanky , lank , lean , scrawny , skinny , and spare . While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment. // a rawboned farmer

Q: When might 'gaunt' be a better fit than 'rawboned'?

While the synonyms gaunt and rawboned are close in meaning, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering. // a prisoner's gaunt face

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lank' instead of 'rawboned'?

The words lank and rawboned are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness. // the lank legs of the heron

Q: When can 'lanky' be used instead of 'rawboned'?

In some situations, the words lanky and rawboned are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness. // a lanky youth, all arms and legs

Q: When could 'lean' be used to replace 'rawboned'?

Although the words lean and rawboned have much in common, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours. // a lean racehorse

Q: How do 'scrawny' and 'skinny' relate to one another, in the sense of 'rawboned'?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality. // a scrawny chicken // skinny street urchins

Q: When is 'spare' a more appropriate choice than 'rawboned'?

While in some cases nearly identical to rawboned , spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise. // the gymnast's spare figure

rawboned

adjective

Definition of rawboned

as in angular

having a prominent and often large or rugged bone structure The cowboy was tall and rawboned.

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How does the adjective rawboned contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rawboned are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, scrawny, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

When might gaunt be a better fit than rawboned?

While the synonyms gaunt and rawboned are close in meaning, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is it sensible to use lank instead of rawboned?

The words lank and rawboned are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

When can lanky be used instead of rawboned?

In some situations, the words lanky and rawboned are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When could lean be used to replace rawboned?

Although the words lean and rawboned have much in common, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of rawboned?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken

skinny street urchins

When is spare a more appropriate choice than rawboned?

While in some cases nearly identical to rawboned, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

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 rawboned Like so many in Lincoln Heights, this tiny, rawboned 89-year-old woman had lived through a time of gang violence, high crime and police oppression. — Brittny Mejia, Joe Mozingo, www.latimes.com, 3 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rawboned

Adjective

The actress wore a design from Gucci’s pre-fall 2026 collection — a black dress that embraced asymmetry with a one-sleeve design contrasted by an angular skirt with a thigh-high element to one side and contrasting train on the other.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
On screen, Guitarrica’s expressive and angular visage conveys the fright and uncertainty that afflict his character, who is desperate for tenderness.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of angular

Adjective

Even the two slender shoulder straps emerge from pointed leather tabs that recall the workmanship of a saddle.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
Having grossed a gargantuan $522 million worldwide (on a slender sub-$1 million production budget), Obsession now stands as this year’s highest profile showcase for cinematic noggin smashing.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of slender

Adjective

Since the beginning of the episode, Lee’s been tailed by McMann’s skinny accomplice — the guy Ginger shot in the neck at the end of the season premiere.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
His long tusks were pale white; the bottoms of his feet splayed out wide under his skinny legs, the better to stabilize on sand.

— Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

The ultra-lean trimmings imported on the cheap have been frozen, possibly for years, intended to be mixed with fattier domestic meat to make ground beef.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 2 Nov. 2026
From weeks three through 12, they were allowed one structured meal of lean protein and vegetables each day alongside meal replacements, before shifting into a weight maintenance phase for the final 12 weeks.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of lean

Adjective

The team’s mesh consists of a grid of ultrathin ribbons of polymer with a thin conductive wire of platinum running through them.

— Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2026
Scientists fired terahertz radiation, a form of low-frequency invisible light, straight through the ultra-thin samples.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of thin

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raw

rawboned

raw deal

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“Rawboned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rawboned. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of rawboned

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