slight 1 of 3

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as in little
of a size that is less than average the slight youth packed a surprisingly solid punch

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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slight

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noun

slight

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slight contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slight are slender, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is slender a more appropriate choice than slight?

While in some cases nearly identical to slight, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slim be a good substitute for slight?

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

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

When might tenuous be a better fit than slight?

The synonyms tenuous and slight are sometimes interchangeable, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is it sensible to use thin instead of slight?

The meanings of thin and slight largely overlap; however, 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 slight
Adjective
The painful blisters can appear anywhere on the body and form from the slightest touch. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025 That was a slight increase compared to the year prior, but the company attributed that increase to a pricing adjustment. Hannah Lang, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
For decades after the first eight planets were barnstormed, orbited, and landed upon by spacecraft from Earth, Pluto remained the only one of the solar system’s major worlds that never received a visit—a slight that was not rectified until the New Horizons spacecraft flew by it in 2015. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 Feb. 2025 Thursday night’s news that Manning didn’t get into Canton in his first year eligible, therefore, doesn’t need to be viewed as a slight. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
But don’t slight Southern California’s earlier signature trees. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025 More than 65 breweries will be present, and while San Diego is slighted — the only local in the lineup is North Park Beer Co. — this is a heavy-hitting group: Russian River, Trillium, Garage Project, Three Floyds, Cellarmaker, Alchemist and the like. Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slight
Adjective
  • In contrast, the founders of the United States, fearful of tyranny, created a weak federal government that could barely impose taxes, let alone establish a national theater.
    Joanna Dee Das, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Williams nails the paradox at the center of the show: As Molly’s body grows weaker, her self-possession grows stronger.
    Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Aftershocks are typically minor adjustments along the portion of a fault that slipped at the time of the initial earthquake.
    William B. Davis, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The incident, while ultimately only a minor one, did impact the rest of their vacation.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Even with Hollywood’s diminished state in China, the film business is one sector where the U.S. maintains a sizable trade surplus with its geopolitical rival, as Chinese films, despite their enormous earnings in the home market, have made little headway with mainstream North American moviegoers.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • For starters, the clear formula comes in a cute little bottle that looks more like a serum than tanning drops.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For adults, the service would be available for a nominal fee.
    Federico Guerrini, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • These games will be purchasable standalone on the eShop and presumably at retail, or upgraded to for a nominal fee for existing owners of the game, much like how the PS5 handles its cross-gen upgrades.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Nudie Jeans has a big idea for a new small retail concept.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Hybrid solutions are currently typically used for small systems.
    ILYA Likhov, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Recent White House comments and insults directed at NATO allies – as well as the military alliance itself – have raised alarm and confusion.
    Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In a workplace that’s increasingly remote, fast-paced, independent and ever-changing, these aren’t insults.
    Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • A lot of the time, the people on the stage or on the show, they’re not even offended.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That clip became so prominent in part because, the same week, Barrett offended the Trump base.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • An old John Lennon demo was transformed into a complete song by isolating his vocals (and George Harrison’s guitar tone) and combining that with new recordings from the rest of the living band.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • However, because the patient was isolated in a hospital, the more dangerous viruses didn't transmit to others.
    Amy Maxmen | KFF Health News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slight. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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