as in gaunt
being tall, thin and usually loose-jointed
spindly, underfed dogs roamed the poverty-stricken village
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 spindly
That’s why arguably one of the most affecting scenes in the film comes when one of those singular shoots meant to make a spectacle of one of Jenna’s outfits (a dark bodysuit with long spindly fingers and a matching insectile headpiece) all but breaks apart.
—
Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
That evening, Flora and Dani were in the activities room, sitting on spindly chairs, explaining to Gala, Pip, and a handful of others what had happened earlier in the day.
—Sheila Heti, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
But a few Decembers ago, its branches turned into spindly things where spikes grew instead of leaves.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
In a polytunnel on the Scottish island of Bute, thousands of spindly Scots pine seedlings are growing.
—Alexa Phillips, WIRED, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for spindly
Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
That evening, Flora and Dani were in the activities room, sitting on spindly chairs, explaining to Gala, Pip, and a handful of others what had happened earlier in the day.
—Sheila Heti, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
But a few Decembers ago, its branches turned into spindly things where spikes grew instead of leaves.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
In a polytunnel on the Scottish island of Bute, thousands of spindly Scots pine seedlings are growing.
—Alexa Phillips, WIRED, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for spindly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spindly
Adjective
-
Some appeared gaunt, and the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said four were immediately taken for medical treatment.—
Greg Norman,
Fox News,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Some appeared gaunt, and the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service said four were taken for treatment.—
Jalal Bwaitel,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Most holes look exactly the same, straightforward with skinny fairways and thick rough.—
Brody Miller,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Her appearances have been accompanied by stylish, noir chic ensembles: a button-up white top and skinny black tie here, a glen plaid gray jacket and slacks there.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Magan is well aware of the success other long, lanky players who can shoot from the outside have had at Burlington Central.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The six-foot-tall, lanky, long hair, just zenith prototype beauty standard for my generation.—
Hugh Grant,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Truong makes a strong case for it and goes minimal with thin French tips and daisies peeking out on the corners of each nail for singer Ella Mai.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Draft experts agree that this incoming quarterback class is somewhat thin and certainly top-heavy.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Lift your hips off the ground and place a block underneath your sacrum, the widest, boniest part of your pelvis.—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
16 Oct. 2024
-
Differences in Adult Bones That being said, some adults are bonier than others.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
3 Nov. 2023
Adjective
-
The gangly physicality of Pellerin’s performance also helps keep us guessing about how far Matt will go and whether his victories will hold.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
-
Bringing a skittish, awkward energy that contrasted with Letterman’s deadpan persona, O’Brien constantly made fun of his own gangly appearance and inappropriateness for the job.—
Ashraf Khalil,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet there have been many tall, slender prospects who played like tigers in the minors and like scared kittens against big-league pitching.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The slender piece of wood can serve as a useful tool—especially for puppies, who often chew on objects like sticks to soothe discomfort while teething, much like teething children are given hard objects to chew.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spindly. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share