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

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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 The teenage Comanche, Okla., resident was naked, the base of his skull had been split in two, his spine was fractured and an 8-inch head wound peeled back part of his scalp to the bone, his autopsy stated. —

Emily Palmer, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Over the weekend, a different statue of Trump appeared in Portland near a statue of a naked woman, The Oregonian reported. —

Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024 For the most part, spotting all that garbage still requires the naked eye and a fair deal of walking. —

Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2024 Mostly men, many are almost naked, some are elderly, some visibly wounded. —

Abeer Salman, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for naked

Recent Examples of Synonyms for naked

Adjective

That investigation began after Torres told police that a 21-year-old Chicago man continued to extort him — threatening to release nude photos and videos — if Torres failed to meet his financial demands.

Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Her lips were lined and painted with an extra-shiny nude lip gloss, just like Anderson's often were back in the '90s and early 2000s.

Kara Nesvig, Allure, 5 Nov. 2024