as in dime
a very small sum of money
trying to start a business on a shoestring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in spindly
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 shoestring
Justin Sink, Bloomberg.com, 12 May 2020
In 2016, the Trump campaign relied on stadium rallies, TV appearances and social media to compensate for its shoestring budget and thin staffing.
—Jennifer Epstein, Bloomberg.com, 7 May 2020
Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
For example, shoestring fries are popular in Detroit, which is known for its chili cheese fries.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoestring
Noun
Recent polls show that public opinion of Trump is souring as former Vice President Joe Biden pulls ahead in crucial swing states, despite a shoestring campaign and self-confinement to his Delaware home.
—Justin Sink, Bloomberg.com, 12 May 2020
In 2016, the Trump campaign relied on stadium rallies, TV appearances and social media to compensate for its shoestring budget and thin staffing.
—Jennifer Epstein, Bloomberg.com, 7 May 2020
Adjective
Think the only places to live on a shoestring budget are in Asia or Latin America?
Think again.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
For example, shoestring fries are popular in Detroit, which is known for its chili cheese fries.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoestring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoestring
Noun
-
Ross is closer to Marvin Mims Jr., a gadget guy who can turn upfield on a dime, a slasher with the vision to find a sliver of daylight from anywhere on the field.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 Aug. 2025
-
In the season, Einbinder’s Ava quits after finding out that the writers were splurging on fancy lunches, on her dime, but not before throwing a $70 branzino at the window.—
The Deadline Team,
Deadline,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These spindly designer picks will look right at home year-round and can elevate a space, inside or out.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
29 July 2025
-
Overall, his spindly frame needs some filling out to help in battles, even though he’s shown a willingness to stick his nose into those.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Peaches have a soft, slightly stringy mouthfeel and abundant juiciness.—
Hannah Coakley,
Verywell Health,
21 July 2025
-
Zucchini quickly lose their flavor and develop tough skins and an unpleasant stringy, spongy, or mushy texture if left on the plant too long.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
The long, lanky edge-setter forced a pressure early in the game to get Texans QB Davis Mills to throw an off-the-mark target down the field.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The same car described in public advisories as the suspect’s vehicle was parked in front of Lupita’s Beauty Salon & Barber Shop, where a lanky man with stringy blonde hair walked in and asked for a fade.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Her willowy frame takes a tremendous battering as brutes slam her into tables and through walls.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
-
Just who was this willowy blond from Iowa City, Iowa?—
Gia Kourlas,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Mount developed his characterization, with his reedy voice, suspicious eyes and slumped posture, on set.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Liam sang most of the songs in his reedy yowl, all charisma with his hands pulled behind his back, head tilted up toward the sky and a parka often inexplicably zipped all the way up to his chin.—
Paula Mejía,
Vulture,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
This one even comes with a synthetic cork cap that creates a tight seal and can be washed and reused along with the bottle.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Michael Giacchino’s excellent and subtly rangy musical score is a big plus.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
-
Standing seven inches above the Filipino’s 5-foot-5 frame, Barrios, the tallest opponent Pacquiao ever fought, weaponizes his physical gifts with fundamentals like a stiff and rangy jab, a dangerous counter right and meaningful body punches.—
Josh Gross,
Oc Register,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shoestring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoestring. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share