How does the adjective gaunt contrast with its synonyms?
Some common synonyms of gaunt are lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, scrawny, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.
When is lank a more appropriate choice than gaunt?
The words lank and gaunt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.
the lank legs of the heron
When is it sensible to use lanky instead of gaunt?
In some situations, the words lanky and gaunt 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 gaunt?
While in some cases nearly identical to gaunt, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.
In what contexts can rawboned take the place of gaunt?
Although the words rawboned and gaunt have much in common, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.
How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of gaunt?
Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.
Where would spare be a reasonable alternative to gaunt?
The synonyms spare and gaunt are sometimes interchangeable, but spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.
the gymnast's spare figure