SLIGHT Synonyms: 549 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

slight 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslīt

Definition of slight next

as in weak

lacking bodily strength a small lad with a slight build

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in minor

lacking importance a slight comedy that did nothing to further her career

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as in little

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

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as in nominal

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention apart from a slight fishy taste, the dish was fine

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as in small

small in degree only a slight chance of success

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slight

2 of 3

noun

as in insult

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings refused to respond to their petty slights

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slight

3 of 3

verb

as in to insult

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the dancers felt slighted by the harsh comments of the judges

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as in to isolate

to deliberately ignore or treat rudely as a temp worker, she often feels slighted by the people she has to work with

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as in to disdain

to show contempt for music critics who slight any style of music that doesn't fit their personal taste

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as in to ignore

to fail to give proper attention to slighted several major authors in her survey of 20th-century fiction

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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

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 slight

Adjective

In California’s 49th congressional district, the latest returns from the secretary of state showed Levin holding onto only a very slight lead over Republican challenger Matt Gunderson. —

Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024 Cotton fibers are hollow inside, and carry a slight negative charge. —

Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024

Noun

Dissecting a frustrating conversation or social slight can prompt rumination—the psychological term for fixating on negative thoughts and feelings—and blow out of proportion relatively minor annoyances, says Jesse Cougle, a psychology professor at Florida State University who studies anger. —

Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024 Will the slight of being dumped to challenger impact Koop’s game? —

Todd Boss, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

Verb

Considering Jamal appeared to feel slighted by not getting a standard deal last season, this could work out for the best for both parties. —

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2024 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan publicly slights Israel on an almost daily basis to drum up domestic political support, for example asserting that Israel’s treatment of Gaza surpasses the brutality of the Nazi regime. —

Kemal Kirisci, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2015 See all Example Sentences for slight

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slight

Adjective

Other checks on Trump’s policy will also be far weaker.

Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Each endpoint can be assessed to sniff out weak points.

PCMAG, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024