GANGLY Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

gangly

adjective

ˈgaŋ-glē

Definition of gangly

as in gaunt

being tall, thin and usually loose-jointed a gangly teenager who was born to play varsity basketball

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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 Before Roosevelt, there was 6-foot-4 Abraham Lincoln, a gangly, spindly wrestler who is reputed to have lost only one fight over a dozen years. — Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 But a new study published recently in Ecology and Evolution has compiled observations showing that the gangly arachnids (also called harvestmen) have an appetite for flesh—or at least for frog legs. — Jake Buehler, Scientific American, 21 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for gangly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gangly

Adjective

But fans were alarmed by Love’s gaunt appearance and diminished singing voice.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of gaunt

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 front door opens to a wall of giant spindly cacti masking large south-facing windows.

— Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 19 Sep. 2026
Slowly, the Royal Prince of Hungary, Bohemia, and Croatia gets to his feet and places his spindly arms around the barman, who is old enough to be his father.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

gangling

gangly

gangrene

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“Gangly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gangly. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gangly

adjective

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