spindly
adjective
spin·dly
ˈspin(d)-lē 
ˈspin-dᵊl-ē
spindlier; spindliest
1
: of a disproportionately tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness
spindly legs
2
: frail or flimsy in appearance or structure
a spindly tower
Synonyms of spindly
Examples of spindly in a Sentence
spindly, underfed dogs roamed the poverty-stricken village
Recent Examples on the Web
The smart developers realized that trees — even small, spindly ones — could add curb appeal to the suburban 3/2 cinderblock home that was the standard of the day.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The young nymph is black with a red, upward-curving abdomen and lacks the wheel-like crest; they are sometimes confused with spiders because of their long, spindly legs.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Most city kids were smooth-skinned, pale, and spindly, although Xi stands out in photographs as unusually robust, ruddy-cheeked, and well-fed.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
Despite being a spindly 180 pounds, he has not been worn down by the rigors of the Big 10 or the NCAA tournament, having scored in double figures in every game since the calendar turned to 2026.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spindly
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Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The young nymph is black with a red, upward-curving abdomen and lacks the wheel-like crest; they are sometimes confused with spiders because of their long, spindly legs.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
Most city kids were smooth-skinned, pale, and spindly, although Xi stands out in photographs as unusually robust, ruddy-cheeked, and well-fed.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
Despite being a spindly 180 pounds, he has not been worn down by the rigors of the Big 10 or the NCAA tournament, having scored in double figures in every game since the calendar turned to 2026.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spindly
Cite this Entry
“Spindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spindly. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spindly
adjective
spin·dly
ˈspin-(d)lē
-dᵊl-ē
spindlier; spindliest
: of a tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness
spindly legs
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