NAKED Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of naked are bald , bare , barren , and nude . While all these words mean "deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering," 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: When would 'bald' be a good substitute for 'naked'?

In some situations, the words bald and naked are roughly equivalent. However, bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness. // a bald mountain peak

Q: When could 'bare' be used to replace 'naked'?

The meanings of bare and naked largely overlap; however, bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable. // an apartment with bare walls

Q: When can 'barren' be used instead of 'naked'?

While in some cases nearly identical to naked , barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility. // barren plains

Q: When might 'nude' be a better fit than 'naked'?

The words nude and naked are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nude applies especially to the unclothed human figure. // a nude model posing for art students

naked

adjective

ˈnā-kəd

Definition of naked next

as in nude

lacking or shed of clothing had recurrent nightmares about being naked in public

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bare

lacking a usual or natural covering the winter trees now look so naked without their colorful fall foliage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in simple

free from all additions or embellishment a naked room waiting for an interior decorator's inspired touch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective naked differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of naked are bald, bare, barren, and nude. While all these words mean "deprived of naturally or conventionally appropriate covering," naked suggests absence of protective or ornamental covering but may imply a state of nature, of destitution, or of defenselessness.

poor half-naked children

When would bald be a good substitute for naked?

In some situations, the words bald and naked are roughly equivalent. However, bald implies actual or seeming absence of natural covering and may suggest a conspicuous bareness.

a bald mountain peak

When could bare be used to replace naked?

The meanings of bare and naked largely overlap; however, bare implies the removal of what is additional, superfluous, ornamental, or dispensable.

an apartment with bare walls

When can barren be used instead of naked?

While in some cases nearly identical to naked, barren often suggests aridity or impoverishment or sterility.

barren plains

When might nude be a better fit than naked?

The words nude and naked are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 naked Even the most naked acts of aggression – of which Putin’s ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine is the most egregious example – brands itself, not as imperial, but as anti-fascist. —

Steven Desmyter, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 Perhaps your Christmas tree's looking a little naked this year? —

Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 30 Nov. 2024 This weekend, residents in the northernmost parts of Texas, including Amarillo and cities to the north, might be able to view the Northern Lights with the naked eye. —

Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 The microscopic gold dust in those 370-ton truckloads of dirt can’t be seen with the naked eye, but after the entire pile has gone through the latest high-heat, pressure, and chemical processes, one load will on average yield about 10 ounces of gold—approximately the weight of a roll of quarters. —

Greg McKenna, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for naked

Recent Examples of Synonyms for naked

Adjective

Rodriguez wore her dark tresses in a side part, while her makeup consisted of rosy blush, winged eyeliner and a nude lip.

Hannah Malach, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024
London’s nude lip soon became her signature throughout the years, from a glossy finish for 2012’s Madea’s Big Happy Family premiere then going matte in 2017 for the premiere of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.

India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 Dec. 2024