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Showing results for unvarnished. Search instead for unvarnishedness.
Synonyms

unvarnished

American  
[uhn-vahr-nisht] / ʌnˈvɑr nɪʃt /

adjective

  1. plain; clear; straightforward; without vagueness or subterfuge; frank.

    the unvarnished truth.

    Synonyms:
    direct, candid, naked, bare
  2. unfinished, as floors or furniture; not coated with or as if with varnish.


unvarnished British  
/ ʌnˈvɑːnɪʃt /

adjective

  1. not elaborated upon or glossed; plain and direct

    the unvarnished truth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unvarnished

First recorded in 1595–1605; un- 1 + varnish + -ed 3, -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The record examines the collapse of her marriage to actor David Harbour in unvarnished detail.

From BBC Jul. 30, 2026

“The Other Bennet Sister” represents Bruccoleri’s first major role where she’s leading the action instead of hugging a wall, unvarnished by cosmetics or anachronistic needle drops hinting at some hidden reserve of chic.

From Salon May 20, 2026

We have read their unvarnished emails, dishy texts, notes from meetings that determined OpenAI’s future—and one deeply human journal.

From The Wall Street Journal May 9, 2026

In its commitment to unvarnished talk — even if that leads to a clunky staginess — “Blue Film” has thoughts about identity, choice, sin and salvation.

From Los Angeles Times May 9, 2026

There, at least, Meryl told the unvarnished truth.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

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