The trees stood bare against the gray sky.

Meaning: The tall plants with a trunk and branches were in an upright position without leaves or covering against the part of the atmosphere that we see above us that was between black and white.

Choice of Words: Trees are tall plants with a trunk and branches. Stood means to be in an upright position. Bare means without leaves or covering. Gray is a color between black and white. Sky is the upper part of the atmosphere that we see above us.

Alternative Expressions

The trees were naked against the overcast sky.

Meaning: This means that the trees have no leaves and are standing up against the gray sky. It's like when you see trees in the winter when they have lost all their leaves and you can see their branches against the sky.

Choice of Words: Trees are tall plants with branches and leaves that grow in the ground. Were is a form of the verb to be that is used to describe a state of being or existence in the past. Naked means having no clothes or covering, like when you are born or when you take a bath. Against means in contact with or facing something else, like when you lean against a wall. Overcast means covered with clouds, like when the sky is gray and cloudy. Sky is the space above the earth and below outer space, where clouds, the sun, and the moon are.

The leafless trees contrasted with the dull sky.

Meaning: This means that the trees have no leaves and are standing up against the gray sky. It's like when you see trees in the winter when they have lost all their leaves and you can see their branches against the sky.

Choice of Words: Leafless means having no leaves, like when a tree loses its leaves in the fall or winter. Trees are tall plants with branches and leaves that grow in the ground. Contrasted means to be different or opposite from something else, like when you compare two things and see how they are different. With means together with or in connection with something else, like when you mix two things together. Dull means not bright or shiny, like when the sky is gray and cloudy. Sky is the space above the earth and below outer space, where clouds, the sun, and the moon are.

Related Expressions