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

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as in slender

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

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as in thinned

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

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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

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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 of thin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

To carry out a thorough investigation, Europa Clipper is outfitted with cameras and spectrometers to capture high-resolution images and create maps of the moon’s surface and thin atmosphere. —

Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Oct. 2024 The Clipper’s instruments will perform a comprehensive survey of the planet, from its core and its 10- to 15-mile-thick ice shell to the oceans and thin atmosphere. —

Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024

Verb

Since the deal had become final, their ranks had thinned considerably. —

Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2024 As climate change melted and thinned a glacier in the fjord, the structure became unable to support the mountain above it. —

Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for thin

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Thin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thin. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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Last Updated: 30 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of thin

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