spindly

adjective spin·dly \ ˈspin(d)-lē , ˈspin-dᵊl-ē \

|Updated on: 14 Jul 2018

Examples: spindly in a Sentence

Definition of spindly

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

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Examples of spindly in a Sentence

spindly, underfed dogs roamed the poverty-stricken village

Recent Examples of spindly from the Web

Standing on its spindly wheels, next to their brand-new crossover, my parents’ all-black car is clearly from another century, looking as antiquated as Ford’s singular color palette.

— casey williams, chicagotribune.com, "Driving the Ford Model T through 110 years of American audacity," 3 July 2018
Those westgoers flocking into the arid lands beyond the 100th meridian would see their dreams dashed by spindly crops.

— johnforristerross, Longreads, "Taming the Great American Desert," 2 July 2018
About eight bighorn sheep scattered along the slope below, their distinct white tails bobbing up and down among the spindly desert flora baking in the midst an epic drought.

— alex devoid, azcentral, "Drought raises demand for water deliveries to wildlife, but it's a short-term fix," 27 June 2018
Of course there are other legends, the most popular of which holds that the Holy Grail was hidden in the mountain’s spindly confines.

— Smithsonian, "Explore Catalonia’s Most Beautiful Nature Parks," 15 June 2018
Those Americans flocking into the arid lands beyond the 100th Meridian would see their dreams dashed by spindly crops, heartbreak and bankruptcy.

— john f. ross, WSJ, "The Prophet of the Dust Bowl," 14 June 2018
In the best Giacometti installations, viewers can mingle among his figurative sculptures, whose solitary, spindly presences—pinched, twisting, nervously agitated, their forceful eyes drilling into ours—both confront and empathize with us.

— lance esplund, WSJ, "‘Giacometti’ Review: Beyond a Retrospective," 19 June 2018
Its ribs are showing through its skin, hip bones jutting out atop spindly legs.

— leah sottile, Longreads, "Bundyville Chapter Four: The Gospel of Bundy," 18 May 2018
The fawn tottered on its spindly legs as Maggie, a 1-year-old Labrador retriever, walked over to investigate.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin man encounters rare white deer fawn on Sauk County morel mushroom hunt," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spindly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.