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
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Recent Examples of skeletal
Nearly a year after skeletal remains were found in a California field, police are looking to the public for answers.
—
Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2025
One day, his son Dong-hwan (Park) receives a call from the police, informing them that Young-hee, their wife and mother, who disappeared 40 years ago, has been found as skeletal remains.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) in Florida said in a Friday, Aug. 1, news release that skeletal remains found in May near the retention wall of a home on the St. Johns River in Fleming Island belonged to Nicholas Lamont Anderson, 24.
—David Chiu, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
In August 2020, a hiker came across skeletal remains at the same park, according to the National Park Service.
—David Chiu, People.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2025
One day, his son Dong-hwan (Park) receives a call from the police, informing them that Young-hee, their wife and mother, who disappeared 40 years ago, has been found as skeletal remains.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) in Florida said in a Friday, Aug. 1, news release that skeletal remains found in May near the retention wall of a home on the St. Johns River in Fleming Island belonged to Nicholas Lamont Anderson, 24.
—David Chiu, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
In August 2020, a hiker came across skeletal remains at the same park, according to the National Park Service.
—David Chiu, People.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeletal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeletal
Adjective
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Then a gaunt old girl lit out over the ridge, and the others broke and followed.—
Fred C. Mercer,
Outdoor Life,
14 Aug. 2025
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Larry Shapiro, Calgary, Alberta Hamas has no conscience Seeing the sickly, gaunt faces of the three Israeli hostages released by Hamas in Gaza on Feb. 8 presented a clear picture of the loathing and deep hostility their abductors felt for them.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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When Claire first shows up, Sweeney’s haggard appearance is doubly shocking for anyone who’s seen how radiant the star looks in most roles.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
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Weinstein often looked haggard and out of it — unshaven, mouth ajar, eyes bleary.—
Phoebe Eaton,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skeletal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeletal. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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