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 next

as in thin

being of less than usual width a slim volume of poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Bombers, motorcycle jackets, and slim styles all serve the same function, adding edge to any ensemble. —

Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026 Cal's slimmest lead in the fourth was 71-52 with two minutes left after the starters had all come out of the game. —

ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026 Police described Jordin as Black, 4 feet, 7 inches tall, and weighing 110 pounds with a slim build. —

Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026 Fashion firms often operate on slim margins, and these can quickly erode due to late receipts, misaligned inventory allocation and delayed markdowns. —

Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

Adjective

But the size of the reserves means Zimbabwe’s foreign-exchange reserves would pay for only one and a half months’ worth of the country’s imports, a thin buffer compared with many peers that typically hold three months or more.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
How to achieve blurred nails Once her prep is complete, Novakovic completes her blurred nails using two thin coats of Manucurist Active Blur.

— Dominic Cadogan, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026

Definition of thin

Browse Nearby Words

slights

slim

slime

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 10 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of slim

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on slim

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

mea culpa

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Games & Quizzes