thin 1 of 2

Definition of thinnext
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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

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verb

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

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

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 thin
Adjective
Observations of stars in the thick disk by the European Space Agency's Gaia mission suggest the thick disk began forming 13 billion years ago, whereas the thin disk is thought to be much younger, forming about 9 billion years ago. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026 The pencil-thin DQ Tower squeezes a full home into a very slender footprint, while the EONE XL takes a wider prefab approach to the same basic challenge. Stefan Ionescu march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
The conditioner is packed with panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) and lightweight hydrators like coconut and safflower seed oils, delivering moisture for thinning hair without adding unnecessary weight. Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026 In this new, broader stereotype of the perimenopausal woman, symptoms are expanded beyond mood changes to weight gain, decreased libido, dry skin, and thinning hair. Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thin
Adjective
  • Keep reading for what shoes go best with white skinny jeans right now.
    Alex Sales, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Her neutral-toned, matte-finish makeup, strappy black tank top, and skinny sunglasses are also very ‘90s, so thanks for the weekend glam inspo, Selena!
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The pencil-thin DQ Tower squeezes a full home into a very slender footprint, while the EONE XL takes a wider prefab approach to the same basic challenge.
    Stefan Ionescu March 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
  • This is the slender center of Vietnam, the Truong Son Range between Laos and the South China Sea.
    Nicole Young, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • However, radiation would dilute the fastest, meaning its energy density drops faster than the other components.
    Big Think, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026
  • As the cultural background of Sacramento’s Little Italy Historic District has become diluted in recent decades, one small business in the area is celebrating a major milestone and still honoring its Italian roots.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
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
  • Plus Yosh Nijman, Ekwonu’s backup and the Panthers’ swing tackle, suddenly retired earlier this month — flinging the Panthers’ offensive line plan into even narrower straits.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
  • As deductions narrow and dependents age out, Roth withdrawals become one of the cleanest sources of tax-free income available for the 62-to-70 age group.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In total, Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI and, at the time of the AI company’s restructuring in October, disclosed that its 27% diluted stake in the for-profit part of the organization was valued at $135 billion.
    Lora Kolodny,Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
  • To prolong their lifespan, plastic cutting boards can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning; wooden ones can be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Cavaliers led by as many as 36 points, but the Heat went on a third-quarter run to cut the deficit to 19 in the final seconds of the period.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Reduce the lot size, cut the square footage, and a house should cost less, supporters said.
    Mark Dee March 28, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But adding regular walking helps signal the body to maintain lean tissue while losing fat.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Gumbs projects slightly better than Sapp, largely due to his lean 6-foot-4 frame that fits the mold of mutant edge rushers the NFL is currently searching for.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Thin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thin. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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