RAWBONED Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'rawboned' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rawboned are gaunt , lanky , lank , lean , scrawny , skinny , and spare . While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment. // a rawboned farmer

Q: When might 'gaunt' be a better fit than 'rawboned'?

While the synonyms gaunt and rawboned are close in meaning, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering. // a prisoner's gaunt face

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lank' instead of 'rawboned'?

The words lank and rawboned are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness. // the lank legs of the heron

Q: When can 'lanky' be used instead of 'rawboned'?

In some situations, the words lanky and rawboned are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness. // a lanky youth, all arms and legs

Q: When could 'lean' be used to replace 'rawboned'?

Although the words lean and rawboned have much in common, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours. // a lean racehorse

Q: How do 'scrawny' and 'skinny' relate to one another, in the sense of 'rawboned'?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality. // a scrawny chicken // skinny street urchins

Q: When is 'spare' a more appropriate choice than 'rawboned'?

While in some cases nearly identical to rawboned , spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise. // the gymnast's spare figure

rawboned

adjective

Definition of rawboned

as in angular

having a prominent and often large or rugged bone structure The cowboy was tall and rawboned.

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How does the adjective rawboned contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rawboned are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, scrawny, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

When might gaunt be a better fit than rawboned?

While the synonyms gaunt and rawboned are close in meaning, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is it sensible to use lank instead of rawboned?

The words lank and rawboned are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

When can lanky be used instead of rawboned?

In some situations, the words lanky and rawboned are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When could lean be used to replace rawboned?

Although the words lean and rawboned have much in common, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of rawboned?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken

skinny street urchins

When is spare a more appropriate choice than rawboned?

While in some cases nearly identical to rawboned, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

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 rawboned Like so many in Lincoln Heights, this tiny, rawboned 89-year-old woman had lived through a time of gang violence, high crime and police oppression. — Brittny Mejia, Joe Mozingo, www.latimes.com, 3 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rawboned

Adjective

The reception desk is accented by an angular brass piece evoking an airplane wing, and the Academy’s four class colors—blue, silver, red, and gold—show up in the carpeting and at the various entrances to the property.

— Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Its angular post-bop vibes featured Blanchard and Garrett skittering over the rhythm section’s cool feel.

— Peter Larsen, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of angular

Adjective

Elordi himself opted to wear Bottega Veneta, sporting a navy, softly pinstriped double-breasted suit with sharp lapels and coordinating tailored pants, a white shirt, and navy skinny tie.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
Love is blind, love is on the spectrum, love is… suddenly skinny?

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

With a steely disposition, Dikha is seen in the videos standing at the very front of a thin boat, executing a repetitive series of dance moves as a line of rowers propel them through a river.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
The mountain of seafood comes with a little sidecar of very thin, very crispy potato chips, seemingly for the hell of it, and a bottle of tart, fiery homemade hot sauce.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of thin

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raw deal

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“Rawboned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rawboned. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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