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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 Following the November 2024 elections Republicans have a majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives, though the latter in particular is very slim. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 However, its unclear if the Senate will have the votes to pass the bill, even with its slim majority. Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025 Congress, which has a slim Republican majority, could get technically involved by threatening to withhold federal funds to the MTA. John Towfighi, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025 That means no single-season rushing record for running back Saquon Barkley, and the Eagles are only a slim favorite over the 3-13 Giants. Adam Gretz, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for slim 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim
Adjective
  • Mother Nature removes this thin coating of cement/lime paste over time, exposing the sand color to your eyes.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025
  • What to order: Your mileage my vary depending on your preferences, but why not start with the New York Original thin crust pizza for $16.95?
    Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Physically strong for his tender age and slender frame, Yalcouye demonstrated a strong defensive mindset, excelling as a ball-winning midfielder.
    Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
  • No matter the quality of what exists of the film today, piercing through the celluloid is the indelible creepy image of Schreck and his slender 6-foot 3-inch frame as Orlok.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The film’s sparse, handmade 16-mm aesthetic, which visually recalls influences ranging from early German Expressionism to the work of Guy Maddin, primarily sells the film’s outlandish fantastical conceit, despite its derivative nature.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The meditative song highlights Future’s confessional over sparse production.
    Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Imagine rewiring your belief in yourself even on a small stage, but in front of millions.
    Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Sitting in front of local leaders, Trump again wrongly blamed elements of the fire disaster on a lack of water resources coming from the Delta and environmental protections for the delta smelt, a small fish near extinction that has become a symbol of GOP frustration.
    Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The large table serves as the primary crafting area; the narrow wood desk is her workstation.
    Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Think narrow sections with extra weight in the middle to give you more control for day-to-day styling at home.
    Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Something is wrong when a police officer who threatened to kill my son comes to my home and, without hesitating, without negotiating with a sick, skinny 21-year-old in crisis, carries out his threat and shoots my son five times.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The woman walked past, shuffling her skinny legs with determination.
    Samanta Schweblin, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • According to Polanski, although food was scarce, by some miracle Ryszard’s mother, Regina, managed to procure hot chocolate for the kids.
    Danuta Hamlin, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Heavy snowfall blanketed the area for the next three days, temperatures hovered at well below freezing, and daylight was scarce.
    Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Often, Jones would bring his daughter to the facility on an off day.
    Chad Graff, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
  • So on this off day, Powell got a massage in preparation for the grind to come.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near slim

Cite this Entry

“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slim

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