thin 1 of 2

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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

2 of 2

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

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
One person shared that while the print side is thin like a typical kitchen towel, the reverse is more plush, like a bath towel, soaking up water easily while doing the dishes. Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 30 June 2025 Each version features flattering ruching at the midsection, thin straps for minimal tan lines, and dozens of colors to choose from. Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2025
Verb
And the latter may be due to taking a medication that thins your blood, Dr. Greves says. Erica Sloan, SELF, 3 June 2025 For example, the state of California has set aside $170 million to fund agencies that will thin and remove vegetation to help prevent more wildfires. Abhishek Singh, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for thin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thin
Adjective
  • Jamie has a big head, like a baby, and skinny limbs; his flashes of menace have the horror-movie quality of an evil doll.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • As a departure from the era of plain skinny ties, Lauren's wide, colorful neckties broke the mold, and his company grew from there.
    Diane J. Cho, People.com, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Nolan Traoré, France An intriguing but very slender point guard, the 6-3 teenager should be a first-rounder.
    Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
  • Lively became mostly famous for, well, being Blake Lively: tall, slender, beautiful, and suspiciously perfect — a patron saint for the Instagram age.
    David Mack, Rolling Stone, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Wayne’s share could now be worth between $75 billion and $300 billion, thanks to the company’s current $3 trillion market cap (his shares would have likely been diluted thanks to new investors and public offering).
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • For many businesses, staying competitive means achieving scale—not to dilute their unique value but to enhance it.
    Frank Sorrentino, Forbes.com, 30 June 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
  • Nothing dramatizes the human comedy with more precision than the sound of a happily narrow mind retorting to the wider environment.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • The Senate begins its marathon debate about President Donald Trump's package of legislative priorities as Republicans try to thread the needle for tax cuts, Medicaid reforms and border security funding with a narrow majority.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The net loss for the first quarter ended May 1 was $8.3 million, or 27 cents per diluted share, which was better than expected.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
  • The company reported a net loss of $483 million, equivalent to $1 per diluted share.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The prospect of trying to cut open a stubborn 5-4-1 block in the Orlando heat could have become torturous quite quickly.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • According to a report on Bloomberg, MSFT is planning to cut thousands of jobs in its Xbox gaming division.
    MoneyShow, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • What’s rising in the aftermath is a new breed of giving that is leaner, faster, and built on the principles of decentralization, distribution, and data.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Men with aviator glasses and handlebar moustaches, leather jackets, jeans, or flannel walk down the street, lean against storefronts and lampposts.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Thin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thin. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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