as in simple
free from all additions or embellishment
I'm telling the unvarnished truth
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Recent Examples of unvarnished
Director: Jackie Jesko The Hook: An unvarnished look at the barrier-breaking journalist who interviewed everyone from the Kardashians to Castro, disarming her subjects with her charm before asking penetrating questions that were shocking in their directness (see this sit-down with Courtney Love).
—
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 June 2025
From Billy Joel to Miley, Tribeca Film Festival goes all in on music movies
Culture Club always cultivated humor and drama
Ellwood excels at highlighting people, regardless of their level of fame, in an unvarnished state.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 June 2025
That is one way to see history–as nothing but an unvarnished chronicle of what happened.
—James T. Kloppenberg, Time, 28 May 2025
This is unvarnished, unfiltered truth about the harsh reality.
—George Bradt, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unvarnished
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 June 2025
From Billy Joel to Miley, Tribeca Film Festival goes all in on music movies
Culture Club always cultivated humor and drama
Ellwood excels at highlighting people, regardless of their level of fame, in an unvarnished state.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 June 2025
That is one way to see history–as nothing but an unvarnished chronicle of what happened.
—James T. Kloppenberg, Time, 28 May 2025
This is unvarnished, unfiltered truth about the harsh reality.
—George Bradt, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unvarnished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unvarnished
Adjective
-
Nearby is the kitchen, which is compact and simple as standard.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 July 2025
-
These patterns are muted, simple, and still full of personality, like this pillow cover in indigo which looks exactly suited to a couch in a captain’s quarters, yacht-appropriate, or like a great porch nap pillow along a white rattan sofa.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
There are over 20 flavors (watermelon’s a winner) to beat plain water for energy.—
Parker Hall,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
-
Avocado and Lime For a creamier dressing, an avocado-lime blend can turn a plain salad into a savory and filling meal.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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No proclamations from experts; just one person’s honest and unadorned reaction to the music.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
17 June 2025
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Most medical memoirs don’t make much of place—a hospital is a hospital is a hospital—but Huyler’s was set in the Southwest, with prose as angular and unadorned as the landscape outside my window.—
Danielle Ofri,
New Yorker,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
Throughout summer 2025, Gomez has been at the forefront of this year's most minimalist nail trends—from simple purple pastels to nearly naked glass manicures—but that hasn't always been her preference.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
5 July 2025
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The first person to arrive at the home was a Warren County sheriff’s deputy, who saw Sarah lying naked on the floor of the couple’s bedroom.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unvarnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unvarnished. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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