THIN Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'thin' contrast with its synonyms?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'slender' take the place of 'thin'?

The words slender and thin can be used in similar contexts, but slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion. // the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Q: When would 'slight' be a good substitute for 'thin'?

The synonyms slight and thin are sometimes interchangeable, but slight implies smallness as well as thinness. // a slight build

Q: When is it sensible to use 'slim' instead of 'thin'?

The words slim and thin are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness. // a slim volume of poetry // a slim chance

Q: Where would 'tenuous' be a reasonable alternative to 'thin'?

In some situations, the words tenuous and thin are roughly equivalent. However, tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness. // a tenuous thread

thin 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthin

Definition of thin next

as in skinny

having a noticeably small amount of body fat after starting a workout routine, she looked thinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slender

being of less than usual width the thin threads of a cobweb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in thinned

not containing very much of some important element the evidence for that oddball theory is pretty thin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

thin

2 of 2

verb

as in to dilute

to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances thinned the cream with milk but didn't tell anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective thin contrast with its synonyms?

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

In what contexts can slender take the place of thin?

The words slender and thin can be used in similar contexts, but slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slight be a good substitute for thin?

The synonyms slight and thin are sometimes interchangeable, but slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is it sensible to use slim instead of thin?

The words slim and thin are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

Where would tenuous be a reasonable alternative to thin?

In some situations, the words tenuous and thin are roughly equivalent. However, tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

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 thin

Adjective

Other recent rumors have put it between 5.5mm and 6.25mm thick, which is close to the M4 iPad Pro’s depth and less than the thinnest iPhone so far, the iPhone 6. —

Wes Davis, The Verge, 12 Jan. 2025 Beyond obvious symptoms such as a scratchy throat and runny nose, Hur urges people to watch for changes in their sense of smell or whether their normally thin, clear mucus becomes thicker. —

Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025

Verb

By thinning that nanosheet down and modifying the materials surrounding it, the team managed to produce an acceptably performing device with a gate length of just 6 nm and a nanosheet just 3 nm thick. —

IEEE Spectrum, 12 Dec. 2024 When thinning dense growth, make sure any cuts are hidden by remaining greenery. —

Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for thin

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thin

Adjective

DirecTV was involved in a nearly two-week dispute with Walt Disney Company last September over a new carriage agreement where DirecTV sought the ability to offer skinnier bundles of channels.

— Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
Zones 3-9. J. communis ‘Pencil Point’– Like other junipers, this skinny shrub tolerates poor, dry soils and needs little attention once established.

— Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2025