Vocabulary Spotlight
Barefaced
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Shameless or without disguise; blatantly obvious.
“His barefaced lies were so transparent that no one believed him.”
Pronunciation
[ˈbɛr-feɪst]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Shameless
Bold
Brazen
Outright
Antonyms
Discrete
Hidden
Covert
Concealed
Related Words
Bare (adjective)
Bold-faced (adjective)
Word Origin
“Barefaced” originated from the combination of “bare” (meaning exposed) and “face,” implying directness or openness, without cover or mask.
Word Family
Adjective: Bare – Uncovered or exposed.
Adverb: Barely – Scarcely or hardly.
Adjective: Bold-faced – Blatantly obvious or shameless.
Mnemonics
Blunt And Reckless Face Always Confident Expression – Helps recall that “barefaced” refers to shamelessly obvious behavior.
Industry-specific Usage
Law
In law, “barefaced lies” can refer to deceitful statements that are evidently false, affecting credibility in legal cases.
Marketing
In marketing, “barefaced” may describe audacious advertising tactics that are unapologetically bold.
Politics
In politics, “barefaced” often describes actions taken without regard for public opinion, like blatant promises.
In Context
Often used to describe shameless actions, “barefaced” emphasizes behaviors that are bold and unapologetically obvious. In social and professional settings, “barefaced” can denote a lack of subtlety, sometimes applied critically to call out direct and unfiltered conduct.