as in doctor
a person specially trained in healing human medical disorders
a real old-timer who remembers when you could expect a sawbones to make a house call
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Recent Examples of sawbones
Under the Knife 2 continues the story of Dr. Derek Stiles, the brilliant young sawbones from the original game.
—
Earnest Cavalli, WIRED, 1 July 2008
Earnest Cavalli, WIRED, 1 July 2008
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sawbones
Noun
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Depardon’s typically non-interventionist approach is especially sensitive to the nuances and complexities of the patient/doctor relationship (and the fundamental trust upon which it is predicated), which Depardon himself regarded as this indelible documentary’s central subject.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Jan. 2026
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Traditionally, scientists and doctors who have questioned vaccine safety, and even the benefits of vaccines, have quickly become pariahs.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortfall of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, with nearly half of that deficit in primary care.—
Robert Pearl,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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Nadler said 95% of new users hear about OpenEvidence from another physician.—
Kate Rooney,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sawbones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sawbones. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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