Definition of no-frillsnext
as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious a low-cost, no-frills vacation during which we camped out and cooked our own meals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 no-frills The no-frills vibe makes sense for an industry of trade workers who aren’t used to getting noticed. Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026 Take the lead with understandable, no-frills promises. Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026 That evening, the wait was only about 30 minutes before I was seated in one of the 15 booths inside the no-frills dining room. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026 Sturm wants to see more of a no-frills game from the Finn. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for no-frills
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-frills
Adjective
  • Plot details are under wraps but according to the spartan official synopsis, the psychological thriller unfolds in a seemingly idyllic and takes audiences on a vertiginous dive into the shifting limits of a sound mind, as grief and obsession take hold.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The modern extension in the rear of the 19th-century main villa is an elegantly spartan affair that somehow complements the 19th-century edifice and brings in the surrounding foliage.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Parents, guardians, aunts and uncles don't have time to read every book on the shelf while trying to pick something for the young reader in their life, so here are some simple ways to determine if a book is suitable for that child.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • King Charles famously loathed his time at the boarding school, but Peter seems to have thrived in the austere Scottish landscape, becoming head boy of the institution before graduating.
    Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The palace—with its austere and elegant façade, generous spaces, high ceilings, and beautiful terraces—has been effectively preserved.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“No-frills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-frills. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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