BARE Synonyms: 303 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'bare' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bare are bald , barren , naked , and nude . While all these words mean "deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering," bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable. // an apartment with bare walls

Q: When might 'bald' be a better fit than 'bare'?

The synonyms bald and bare are sometimes interchangeable, but bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness. // a bald mountain peak

Q: When is it sensible to use 'barren' instead of 'bare'?

The words barren and bare can be used in similar contexts, but barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility. // barren plains

Q: In what contexts can 'naked' take the place of 'bare'?

While in some cases nearly identical to bare , naked suggests absence of protective or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature, of destitution, or of defenselessness. // poor half- naked children

Q: Where would 'nude' be a reasonable alternative to 'bare'?

While the synonyms nude and bare are close in meaning, nude applies especially to the unclothed human figure. // a nude model posing for art students

bare 1 of 2

adjective

ˈber

Definition of bare next

as in mere

being this and no more impoverished people who can no longer afford the bare necessities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in simple

free from all additions or embellishment do you want to know the bare truth?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exposed

lacking a usual or natural covering the ground was bare, without a trace of grass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in naked

lacking or shed of clothing the toddler liked to run around bare

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in devoid

lacking contents that could or should be present the cupboard was bare—not a thing to eat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in void

utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected the cupboard was bare of baking supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bare

2 of 2

verb

ˈber

as in to reveal

to make known (as information previously kept secret) finally bared the secret that she had kept to herself for so long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bare differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bare are bald, barren, naked, and nude. While all these words mean "deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering," bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable.

an apartment with bare walls

When might bald be a better fit than bare?

The synonyms bald and bare are sometimes interchangeable, but bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness.

a bald mountain peak

When is it sensible to use barren instead of bare?

The words barren and bare can be used in similar contexts, but barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility.

barren plains

In what contexts can naked take the place of bare?

While in some cases nearly identical to bare, naked suggests absence of protective or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature, of destitution, or of defenselessness.

poor half-naked children

Where would nude be a reasonable alternative to bare?

While the synonyms nude and bare are close in meaning, nude applies especially to the unclothed human figure.

a nude model posing for art students

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of bare

Adjective

Inside, the walls and floors are finished with wood-grain paneling, with tons of bare wall space begging to be built out with shelving, pegboard, or a workbench. —

Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024 The roof is bare save for one reclining lawn chair, probably left by a neighbor after watching fireworks explode over the Hudson on the Fourth of July. —

Abbey Stone, SELF, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

Halsey bares her soul over acoustic guitar, laughing out loud at her own misery. —

Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024 Posting a carousel of pregnancy photos, Petty stripped down to bare her belly, leaning against a tree in one photo. —

Hannah Sacks, People.com, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bare

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bare

Adjective

In a market dominated by the likes of BTC, this accomplishment is not a mere feat but a reflection of the digital asset's resilience and adaptability.

Jon Stojan, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
This recently sold 2007 F430 Spider is unusual to say the least, and not only because there’s a mere 480 miles on the clock.

Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024