Synonyms of skeletal

skeletal

adjective

ˈske-lə-tᵊl 

as in gaunt

suffering extreme weight loss as a result of hunger or disease

the stray kitten's skeletal body was pitiful to look at

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gaunt
• haggard
• bony
• emaciated
• starving
• starved
• cadaverous
• hungry
• skinny
• scrawny
• lanky
• thin
• wasted
• sinewy
• lank
• undernourished
• underfed
• rawboned
• scraggy
• wizened
• spare
• withered
• famished
• shriveled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• healthy
• burly
• beefy
• husky
• brawny
• fit
• hearty
• hale
• fleshy
• fat
• obese
• plump
• overweight
• stocky
• corpulent
• chubby
• rotund
• pudgy
• thickset
• portly
• tubby
• heavyset
• flabby
• soft
• roly-poly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of skeletal

Once inside the second floor bedroom, state police found a set of skeletal remains in a sleeping bag, the search warrant said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

Police returned to the house and found skeletal remains in the basement. — Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Investigators returned Friday after learning the woman's husband had not been seen in years and found skeletal remains in the basement. — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

An investigation is underway following the discovery of human skeletal remains Tuesday in South San Jose, police said. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026