slim

adjective

ˈslim How to pronounce slim (audio)
Definition of slimnext
1
as in thin
being of less than usual width a slim volume of poetry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slender
having a noticeably small amount of body fat the pressure on ballet dancers to remain gracefully slim

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable slim pickings at the garage sale

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in small
small in degree a slim chance is still better than none

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slim are slender, slight, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

When is it sensible to use slender instead of slim?

The words slender and slim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Where would slight be a reasonable alternative to slim?

In some situations, the words slight and slim are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When can tenuous be used instead of slim?

The words tenuous and slim can be used in similar contexts, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is thin a more appropriate choice than slim?

While in some cases nearly identical to slim, thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance.

thin wire
a thin soup

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 slim That includes slim rectangular headlamps on either side of the brand's signature 4-dot lights. —New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2025 For instance, Francisco Lindor made two errors Tuesday — chances are slim of that morphing into a recurring problem. —Will Sammon, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025 That means with the slim majority in the House, two seats could flip the other direction. —ABC News, 30 Mar. 2025 Ensure the keep pile isn’t overflowing while your donate pile is slim. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim
  1. thin
  2. slender
  3. sparse
  4. small
  5. narrow
  6. skinny
  7. scarce
  8. off
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Probably because its seven episodes constitute only a partial adaptation of The Last of Us Part II, whereas the nine-part first season covered the entire original game, the story is stretched too thin.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • With their lanky legs and slender necks, sandhill cranes stand roughly three to four feet tall.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Since the crescent moon is both very slender after the new moon and visible for only a short period in the west above the sunset, it may be sighted on Sunday, March 30, but more likely on Monday, March 31.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of slender
Adjective
  • The evidence against Mayers was sparse, mainly consisting of a few indistinct and inconveniently angled surveillance videos.
    — Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
  • This abundance is in stark contrast to today, when sightings of migrating fish are sparse.
    — Logan Kistler, JSTOR Daily, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • With any luck, a little digestive distress will be just a small trade-off for getting past your illness and feeling like yourself again.
    — Beth Krietsch, SELF, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Nudie Jeans has a big idea for a new small retail concept.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of small
Adjective
  • The narrow five-game spread between the top and bottom performers illustrates the relative consistency in baseline predictive ability.
    — Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Any migrant can individually bring a claim, Harris argued, but only in Texas where they're being held, and only along narrower grounds.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • The TikTok comments were replete with speculation that the friends may have even been skinny dipping—though Horton declined to confirm this.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • As an elder millennial, that meant skinny jeans — the hallmark of my generation.
    — Kayla Kitts, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of skinny
Adjective
  • Details of who makes up the DOGE staff have been scarce despite the intense media attention on the team's efforts.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • As a rule, if rain is scarce, a crepe myrtle needs two to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter per week.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of scarce
Adjective
  • Last-minute fixes were still being made, and some Cubs players trickled into the clubhouse to put stuff in their lockers or work out on their off day.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Stewart’s on-field production left a lot to be desired last year, but his motor doesn’t have an off switch.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of off

Browse Nearby Words

slights
slim
slime
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Cite this Entry

“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on slim

Nglish: Translation of slim for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slim

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