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gangly

adjective

ˈgaŋ-glē How to pronounce gangly (audio)
Definition of ganglynext
as in gaunt
being tall, thin and usually loose-jointed a gangly teenager who was born to play varsity basketball

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 gangly In the first half, Jokic was minus-22 when the gangly center was on the court, continuing an alarming trend in the series. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026 What to know about wood storks These gangly birds are sometimes called flintheads or ironheads because of their distinctive heads and necks. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026 War was coming, but for her father, Eberhard, then a gangly teenager, life in Hawaii was an endless summer. — David Martin, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025 Almost immediately, the long legs, tail, and gangly frame didn’t match that breed. — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gangly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gangly
  1. gaunt
  2. lanky
  3. skinny
  4. spindly
  5. rangy
  6. thin
  7. bony
Adjective
  • Apple was widely criticized in the late 2000s for not volunteering more information about Jobs’ health, especially as concerns about his gaunt appearance battered the company’s shares.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
  • As her pregnancy progressed, Kabita’s belly swelled while the rest of her remained gaunt.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of gaunt
Adjective
  • Verity ultimately transforms into a tall, lanky monster chasing ThatMob in the dark.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Mukhamadullin, a lanky 6-4 Russian, is the X-factor as a newcomer from the San Jose Sharks.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of lanky
Adjective
  • Her humdrum life gives way to beach bonfires at sunset (lensed by Tudor Vladimir Panduru and Fabian Gamper in stunning dusky blues and pinks) and skinny-dipping in the river.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • These ankle-length skinny jeans come in a dark wash similar to the actress’s, as well as seven other shades.
    — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of skinny
Adjective
  • At a little under two feet, the can’t-miss fixture spreads a warm light that creates a welcoming atmosphere for reading, relaxing, or sharing drinks without harsh overhead lighting or a spindly, corner-lurking, fluorescent presence.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In this splendid and very hot outfit, completed with spindly heeled sandals, Allie reluctantly toddles off into the night to join her glimmering, mini-skirted sisters.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of spindly
Adjective
  • But like The Bad News Bears’ rangy little dirtbag on the dirtbike, there was no dishonor in the loss, even if the fans would’ve found even greater consolation in a title.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • At 6 feet 2 1/4 inches tall with almost 33-inch arms, Benefield has the rangy frame and athleticism that translates well to the field.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of rangy
Adjective
  • Over the coming weeks, Venus' crescent will grow ever thinner while its apparent size grows larger as the planet moves closer to Earth.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Little by little as the day went on, the ranks of us still in the running grew thinner.
    — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • Lift your hips off the ground and place a block underneath your sacrum, the widest, boniest part of your pelvis.
    — Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
  • Differences in Adult Bones That being said, some adults are bonier than others.
    — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Definition of bony

Browse Nearby Words

gangling
gangly
gangrene
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gangly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gangly. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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