skeleton

noun

ˈske-lə-tən How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
Definition of skeletonnext
as in structure
the arrangement of parts that gives something its basic form Native Americans covered the skeletons of their wigwams with bark, rush mats, or hides

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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 skeleton By the time of the witch trial, the sacred building stood stripped of its roofing and outer masonry—a fleshless skeleton; its giant west window glassless, miming a stone scream. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 The result resembles a digital skeleton that represents the positions of a person’s arms, legs and other body parts. — Bo Wang, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026 Flashes of the underworld, Family Guy-style, ensue, with flames, skeletons, demons, a mariachi band and various forms of torture setting the mood. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026 Sereno said the skeleton was preserved three-dimensionally, with bones remaining in unusually lifelike positions. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skeleton
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeleton
  1. structure
  2. framework
  3. architecture
Noun
  • Future uses for the approach include any number of stronger, lighter structures and materials needing protection from vibration and shaking.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
  • One scenario making the rounds has Cheeks potentially overseeing all of the vast TV holdings of the combined company, but so far, there’s no firm confirmation and a final structure isn’t expected to be announced until next week.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of structure
Noun
  • Clayton also noted in the interview the task force would discuss potential legislative options that could be part of an AI framework moving forward.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier this year, the EU softened its corporate sustainability disclosure rules and adjusted its carbon pricing framework.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of framework
Noun
  • Leaders must first allow commercial suppliers the flexibility to iterate toward the most scalable, high-yield architectures, mandating open interoperability protocols once the technology reaches industrial maturity.
    — Rohit Jha, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In its latest incarnation, designed by the firm S9, the curtain wall has darkened and the electronic billboards brightened, so that the tower resembles a TV mount, more apparatus than architecture.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of architecture

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Cite this Entry

“Skeleton.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeleton. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skeleton

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skeleton

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