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 And with fatal Black Sea attacks continuing into October, prospects of a ceasefire look slim, even as Turkey ramps up efforts to broker a deal due to the risk to global food security. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 The company essentially smashes the cooler into a long, slim form low enough to slide under its Box beds while one or two people snore cozily away on top. — New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026 James also introduced a slimmer silhouette for a new generation of men who wanted to shine as well as excel. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 However, the odds of Andrew being welcomed back into the fold with open arms are pretty slim. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

Adjective

Bajaria may also have hit thin ice with Sarandos after the streamer won just 16 Primetime Emmy Awards this year — its worst showing since 2016 and down from 30 in 2025.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
It was designed with a column, sheath silhouette, with sequins, thin spaghetti straps and a midlength skirt.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

Description This perennial member of the Fabaceae family produces long, slender vines that climb by twining or spread horizontally along the ground.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
Also new, the Venantia collection reprised the codes of the Diane design but in slender proportions, while the Apolloni line inspired by an 18th-century travel bag expanded to include a luxe leather weekender.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of slender

Adjective

Menon's photo reveals spectacular pink, purple and red auroras glowing in Earth's upper atmosphere above a sparse dappling of city lights, subtly blurred by the motion of the orbital spacecraft over the course of the exposure.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Most accumulation will be sparse, including snow, where snowfall could reach 1–2 inches along mountain peaks between Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Springs.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

There’s also a small but well-equipped 24-hour gym, a sauna, steam rooms, and a Jacuzzi area with daybeds.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
In a small Idaho town, a young mother is accused of killing her young twins.

— Glenn Thrush Eric Schmitt Liam Stack Tim Balk, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Despite steady attacks from Iran, oil tankers and other commercial vessels have continued flowing through the narrow waterway.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Acton holds a narrow edge over Republican firebrand Vivek Ramaswamy, while Kaptur is contending with a tough reelection battle after Ohio Republicans redrew the boundaries of the longtime congresswoman’s district to pull in more GOP voters.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

Viard has also reconnected with Hedi Slimane, whose skinny suits for Dior famously prompted Lagerfeld to lose more than 90 pounds.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Bootcut jeans are the perfect in-between for people like me who find skinny jeans too restricting and wide-leg jeans too baggy.

— Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

The company argued that the spending has so far secured scarce assets without generating cash flow.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
These approaches are particularly suitable for small-scale operations in colder climates or areas where water is scarce, although some may require greater energy expenditure to operate cooling equipment.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of scarce

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“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of slim

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