as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
I'm telling the unvarnished truth
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Recent Examples of unvarnished
Lighton presents it all with unvarnished honesty, allowing the tension and humor to bloom in the clash between Skarsgård’s forthright Scandinavian brusqueness, and Melling’s awkward British charm.
—
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
The make-or-break ingredient turns out to be British actor Will Poulter, whose immersive commitment dovetails beautifully with Meeks’ unvarnished sensibility.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Jan. 2026
The class’s teacher, played by Julia Garner, faces suspicion (not to mention her own demons), and the remaining, unvarnished child isn’t providing answers.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
Like the rest of Italy, so many answers can be found in the kitchen, and some of Sicily’s finest food can be bought roadside or in its energetic, unvarnished markets, where rituals as old as the mottled walls unfold.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unvarnished
Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
The make-or-break ingredient turns out to be British actor Will Poulter, whose immersive commitment dovetails beautifully with Meeks’ unvarnished sensibility.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Jan. 2026
The class’s teacher, played by Julia Garner, faces suspicion (not to mention her own demons), and the remaining, unvarnished child isn’t providing answers.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
Like the rest of Italy, so many answers can be found in the kitchen, and some of Sicily’s finest food can be bought roadside or in its energetic, unvarnished markets, where rituals as old as the mottled walls unfold.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unvarnished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unvarnished
Adjective
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Engineers have developed a simple strategy to help robots remain stable while repairing satellites in orbit by using a second robotic arm to counterbalance movements.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
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Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Sacred Sites in Uluru Rising 348 meters above the Northern Australian desert plain, Uluru is a massive sandstone monolith—the largest in the world—formed around 550 million years old.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
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The beauty of this top is it can be worn buttoned up and tucked into jeans for a more tailored look, but it can also be worn loose over a plain tank for a model-off-duty finish.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Joseph navigated those years in the wake with unadorned reverence, while starting a family of his own and directing some of the most transcendent music videos of the 2010s.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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Transfer unadorned squares to an airtight food storage container and store at room temperature for 3 to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The case back then also involved the bodies of naked, mutilated women, plus all the sexism and homophobia that were pervasive in police work in 1998 and are apparently ship-shape today.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
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But the oven truly stands out for its small details that may not be as noticeable to the naked eye.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unvarnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unvarnished. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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