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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slim are slender, slight, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

When is it sensible to use slender instead of slim?

The words slender and slim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Where would slight be a reasonable alternative to slim?

In some situations, the words slight and slim are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When can tenuous be used instead of slim?

The words tenuous and slim can be used in similar contexts, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is thin a more appropriate choice than slim?

While in some cases nearly identical to slim, 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 slim The water-resistant fabric protects the rest of your carry-on from spills, and the slim, structured design tucks neatly into your bag without wasting precious space. Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025 Williams also praised the chair for its slim profile, synchronous tilt, and adjustable lumbar support that make the seat suitable for long working hours. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 25 Sep. 2025 Khaite’s are an editor favorite of the season, where they were given a downtown spin next to slim leather trousers and pointy pumps. Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025 The Marlins took the field in Philadelphia on Thursday night clinging to the slimmest of postseason hopes. Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim
Adjective
  • Such devices must be thin and resilient, capable of working where rigid materials fail.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Long wigs and extensions almost always run on the thinner side by default—an issue hair companies still haven’t really solved.
    Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ostrich dinosaurs walked on two long, slender hind legs and had a long neck with a small head, similar to modern ostriches, experts said.
    Lauren Liebhaber September 22, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
  • This further shrank the already slender Republican House majority.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The study suggests that researchers could piggyback their equipment to already vast networks of telecommunications cables — which are used by Google, Amazon and AT&T, for example — to gather data where seismometers are sparse.
    Evan Bush, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
  • That multivitamin may seem like armor against a hasty, nutrient-sparse breakfast.
    Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Out-of-state travel that year, though, saw a small decrease compared to 2023.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Ohio State University, which enrolls the most international students in Ohio, reported a 37% drop in first-year international students and a slightly smaller number of total international students this year.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Inflation could feature heavily in midterm elections next year, as the Republican Party looks to defend narrow majorities in the House and Senate.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The meandering layout of Milan predates cars, so expect to get your steps in on the narrow and winding roads.
    Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Crawford isn’t the only A-lister ditching skinny jeans for roomier styles — Katie Holmes, Olivia Munn, and Margot Robbie have all adopted the leg-elongating denim trend.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The brows, similarly, took on many forms — bushy, skinny, straight and curved.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Details on the particulars of the city’s agreement with the two men were scarce on Monday night.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of relying on scarce precious metals, Aepnus uses advanced electrode formulations that facilitate reactions at the electrode surface.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Anderson has been responsible for some of the greatest ones of the 21st century, and even his off titles are pretty good, which makes ranking his work a particular challenge.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
  • But even in his off hours, Boose is still working.
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

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