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 The iPhone 18 series continues to sport an ultra-slim display frame, allowing for more screen real estate. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026 In the bathroom, Sharma suggests using a rolling cart or a slim, tall shelf in the narrow space between the wall and the vanity or laundry appliances. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 18 Sep. 2026 Elevated washes, along with modern slim and classic fits, bring together style and function. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 Continue reading here Angels lose to Mariners Cal Raleigh had two hits and three RBIs, Josh Naylor had two hits and two RBIs and the Seattle Mariners kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 7-2 victory over the Angels on Wednesday night. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

Adjective

To achieve the best results, spread a thin layer across the soil’s surface, leaving space around the stems.

— Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2026
In its 2026 testing, conventional thin detergent sheets performed worse overall than even the lowest-scoring liquid and pod detergents.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

Rooms This is a big hotel, with 177 rooms and suites that range in size and shape from the smallest superior rooms to the impressive top-floor penthouse.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
Newsom, in his veto message at the time, cited concerns about stifling innovation and said smaller AI models, which would have been exempt from the law, could also be dangerous.

— Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

The males feed under a narrow, white, waxy coating and mate with females in spring.

— Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
That changed in 2013, when a small, dark body orbiting between Saturn and Uranus passed in front of a star and blinked twice on either side of the main event, revealing two narrow rings around an object barely 250 kilometers across.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

The show’s composer, Stephen Schwartz, and director, Howard Sponseller, seemed utterly taken with this tall, skinny girl, whose name was Gilda Radner.

— Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
The victim described a perpetrator who was 24 to 25 years old, skinny and clean-shaven, with a clear speaking voice.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

The hurdles force charities to spend scarce staff time chasing funds intended for their missions and, occasionally, walk away from the gift altogether, the experts said.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
For Tapaboka, support is often scarce from those in positions to help.

— Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of scarce

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slights

slim

slime

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“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of slim

adjective

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