sawbones

noun

ˈsȯ-ˌbōnz How to pronounce sawbones (audio)
Definition of sawbonesnext
slang
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sawbones
  1. doctor
  2. physician
Noun
  • The primary care doctor helps protect the patient’s heart and bones and looks after the person’s overall health.
    — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • There are not yet significant clinical trials for these peptides, but some doctors, patients, wellness influencers, and Kennedy have voiced support for opening up the market for these drugs.
    — Alana Semuels, Time, 23 July 2026
Definition of doctor
Noun
  • But if intelligent systems can monitor patients between visits—flagging problems early and escalating to a human when judgment is required—the physician’s role shifts from gatekeeper to escalation point.
    — Srini Attili, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The students training at the Schmidt College of Medicine today are the physicians who will practice in Palm Beach County tomorrow.
    — Lewis S. Nelson, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
Definition of physician
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.

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saw after
sawbones
sawbuck
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Cite this Entry

“Sawbones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sawbones. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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