SLENDER Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'slender' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slender are slight , slim , tenuous , and thin . While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion. // the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Q: When is 'slight' a more appropriate choice than 'slender'?

The words slight and slender are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slight implies smallness as well as thinness. // a slight build

Q: When would 'slim' be a good substitute for 'slender'?

The words slim and slender can be used in similar contexts, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness. // a slim volume of poetry // a slim chance

Q: In what contexts can 'tenuous' take the place of 'slender'?

Although the words tenuous and slender have much in common, tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness. // a tenuous thread

Q: When might 'thin' be a better fit than 'slender'?

While the synonyms thin and slender are close in meaning, 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

slender

adjective

ˈslen-dər

Definition of slender next

as in thin

being of less than usual width graceful, slender table legs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in skinny

having a noticeably small amount of body fat unsurprisingly, the aerobics instructor is slender and athletic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable people of slender means simply can't afford those prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slender contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slender are slight, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When is slight a more appropriate choice than slender?

The words slight and slender are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When would slim be a good substitute for slender?

The words slim and slender can be used in similar contexts, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

In what contexts can tenuous take the place of slender?

Although the words tenuous and slender have much in common, tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When might thin be a better fit than slender?

While the synonyms thin and slender are close in meaning, 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

Examples 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 slender Females tend to gain weight until about age 65.7 As a result, older adults may become more slender. —

Mark Gurarie, Health, 14 Dec. 2024 Eby’s New Democratic Party won a slender majority in the October election, extending his tenure as premier. —

Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024 And though women like Ms. Caruso or Ms. Kirke (not to mention crop-top aficionados like Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid) may be slender enough to wear an actual child’s shirt, there now exist many more options to span generations and body types. —

April Daniels Hussar, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024 Portugal is a slender strip of land about the size of Maine boarded by Spain in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. —

Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slender

Adjective

The faux leather exterior is sleek and practical for this time of year, while the inside has a thin fleece lining to keep you warm.

Nicol Natale, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
From pencil thin brows to cool-toned smokey eyes, all the cool girls are channeling that iconic vintage supermodel aesthetic.

Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 13 Jan. 2025