SLIM Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'slim' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slim are slender , slight , tenuous , and thin . While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness. // a slim volume of poetry // a slim chance

Q: When is it sensible to use 'slender' instead of 'slim'?

The words slender and slim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion. // the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Q: Where would 'slight' be a reasonable alternative to 'slim'?

In some situations, the words slight and slim are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies smallness as well as thinness. // a slight build

Q: When can 'tenuous' be used instead of 'slim'?

The words tenuous and slim can be used in similar contexts, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness. // a tenuous thread

Q: When is 'thin' a more appropriate choice than 'slim'?

While in some cases nearly identical to slim , 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

slim

adjective

ˈslim

Definition of slim

as in thin

being of less than usual width a slim volume of poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slender

having a noticeably small amount of body fat the pressure on ballet dancers to remain gracefully slim

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable slim pickings at the garage sale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

small in degree a slim chance is still better than none

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slim are slender, slight, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

When is it sensible to use slender instead of slim?

The words slender and slim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Where would slight be a reasonable alternative to slim?

In some situations, the words slight and slim are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When can tenuous be used instead of slim?

The words tenuous and slim can be used in similar contexts, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is thin a more appropriate choice than slim?

While in some cases nearly identical to slim, 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

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 slim Handwoven wicker appears effortlessly draped across the seat of the Andalusia bench from West Elm, contrasted by slim wrought iron legs for a rustic touch. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026 Graham's death leaves Republicans with a slimmer margin on the Judiciary Committee. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 July 2026 Instead, the market is warming up to slim and straight leg as a middle ground. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 July 2026 There's a chance, though slim, it could get attached to a moving piece of legislation, Kaine said. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

Adjective

It is composed of extremely thin layers of iron selenide, or FeSe, which are embedded repeatedly throughout a much larger three-dimensional crystal.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
Those areas are likely be less impressive in the thin air of the vehicle’s namesake town.

— James Raia, Mercury News, 19 July 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

There’s a second wine cellar that will hold an additional 2,000 bottles, and, just beyond the kitchen, an outdoor dining gallery is heated for comfort, with a slender fire feature that runs the length of the table.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 July 2026
Small and slender, with an average length of about two feet, it is found in the mountainous areas of West Texas.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of slender

Adjective

Traffic through the strait has been sparse since March but showed slight recovery during the roughly three weeks that a ceasefire lasted between the United States and Iran.

— Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 15 July 2026
She’s represented here by a woman dematerializing headfirst, seemingly outlived only by her pendulous breasts, and a sparse landscape where a spectral figure peeks up from the bottom edge.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

The division charged with keeping a handle on parasitic diseases had already been small, with only a few employees designated to parasite work.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
When states lose the authority to set their own food safety and agricultural standards, consumers and small farmers pay the price.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

That ought to be advantageous for the Spaniard, who seemed too often to run aground when trapped inside in a more narrow system.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 July 2026
But the school board is the most notable exception, where Republicans cling to a narrow 4-3 majority after years of bruising elections.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

Granny jeans are a stylish alternative to skinny jeans and flare jeans.

— René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 17 July 2026
We're used to seeing the Galaxy Z Fold in a tall-and-skinny chassis, but this time around, whispers are growing louder about a new passport-style shape that's more reminiscent of the first-generation Google Pixel Fold.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

Georgia’s Okefenokee, meanwhile, sits in the subtropical climate band, where peat deposits are more scarce — and where most that do remain have been altered by humans.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
Scarcity creates value, and in a world where content is infinite, trust becomes scarce.

— Janita Pannu, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of scarce

Adjective

For the dozens of NHL, minor league and college players who make their off-season homes in Minnesota, informal morning skates at various arenas throughout the Twin Cities have been going on for decades.

— Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 17 July 2026
In May, the Braves have four off days and just two road trips, one to Philadelphia and Detroit followed by another to Kansas City and to New York to face the Mets.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of off

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“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of slim

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