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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When Danh was initially hospitalized overseas on April 9, doctors diagnosed her with acute liver failure, among other serious health issues.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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The ship’s only doctor—a very nice guy who has been running around taking care of people—is sick.—
Akash Kapur,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Noun
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The attending physician said her blood pressure continues to fluctuate, in part due to damage to part of the brain that is responsible for such regulations.—
Sarah el Deeb,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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In the indictment, federal prosecutors accused Keomisy of providing a counterfeit college diploma and using a medical license number belonging to someone else to obtain employment as a physician’s assistant.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sawbones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sawbones. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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