1
as in flexible
able to bend easily without breaking
the lithe blade of a fencing foil
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in graceful
moving easily
lithe dancers glided across the stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slender
having a noticeably small amount of body fat
she has the lithe, sinewy body of a distance runner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 lithe
This larger, lithe-bodied breed will live to be anywhere from 10 to 13 years old.
—
Katelyn Chef, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Paperbacks are lighter and smaller and more lithe, easier to put in a pocket or a backpack and carry around.
—Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
Masri’s drumming is lithe and spacious even at its most aggressive; just as Alcorn’s guitar slides move with a gravity-defying, naturalistic force, his attacks seem to sprout out of each other independently, emerging in thickets.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
The wine tastes juicy and lithe, devoid of heavy tannins, gushing with cranberry and licorice.
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lithe
Katelyn Chef, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Paperbacks are lighter and smaller and more lithe, easier to put in a pocket or a backpack and carry around.
—Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
Masri’s drumming is lithe and spacious even at its most aggressive; just as Alcorn’s guitar slides move with a gravity-defying, naturalistic force, his attacks seem to sprout out of each other independently, emerging in thickets.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026
The wine tastes juicy and lithe, devoid of heavy tannins, gushing with cranberry and licorice.
—Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lithe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lithe
Adjective
-
Between 48 percent off platform sandals that feel just as cushioned as sneakers, to 60 percent off flexible, low-profile sneakers that’ll never challenge an overpacked suitcase, any of the shoes below will carry you through your summer outings in style.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
My cargo capri pants have a flexible waistband for easy sitting in cramped plane seats, while my breezy jumpsuit is a one-and-done casual outfit.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
What strikes him about the style is that nothing feels out of place—every column, window, and detail is part of a graceful whole.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 May 2026
-
There is nothing more graceful than a heron in motion.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
As the slender fangjaw’s prism-like crystals are perfectly optimized to manipulate light in water, this structure offers a blueprint for highly efficient microscale medical implants.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
26 May 2026
-
The heels feature a sleek square-toe strappy design and a slender stiletto heel adorned with shimmering and large crystal embellishments that wrap around the foot.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
Moss-colored chaise longues in the living area, piled with pillows and wool blankets, are perfectly positioned to take in the view, as are the four-poster beds with wool-blend mattresses and willowy gauzy curtains.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Given the differences in Western and Eastern beauty standards, and the realities of setting a romance in the hockey world, neither Shane nor Ilya fit the mold of BL’s feminine, willowy bishonen.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
However, Mercerat noted that skinny and slim jeans’ growth is slowing in comparison to other fits that are growing like baggy and boyfriend.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
-
The host has this idea of a long, skinny mic and a cool suit and a snappy batter.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
The dog couldn’t go in her room so soon after her transplant, so Aspen dabbed colors on a small canvas and handed it to Scott, who put it in a plastic bag and smeared peanut butter on top.—
Laura Ungar,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
-
Use pruning shears to cut the stems at ground level and place the cuttings in a plastic bag for disposal.—
Caroline Biggs,
Martha Stewart,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Mars, however, lost most of its global magnetic field billions of years ago and today possesses only a much weaker, patchier magnetic environment formed when the solar wind interacts directly with the planet’s thin upper atmosphere.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
-
Infused with biotin, rosemary, and peppermint oil, this ultra-popular Mielle Organics shampoo strengthens thin, brittle strands.—
Isabel Bekele,
InStyle,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
Two ultra-limber actors — Hassiem Muhammad and Ryan Sellers — in garish body makeup (and dance shoes) merge limbs and psyches for an electric demonstration of poetry in motion.—
Peter Marks,
Washington Post,
26 Jan. 2023
-
For thousands of years, people have turned to yoga to feel more limber, release stress and rejuvenate their overall physical and mental health.—
Forrest Brown,
CNN,
21 June 2022
Cite this Entry
“Lithe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lithe. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
