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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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 Some people hate nandina, but that’s the old varieties that get humongous and gangly. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 20 June 2026 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 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

Throughout late 2025, Beach Boys fans expressed increasing alarm with Love’s increasingly gaunt appearance and raspy singing voice.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2026
This year, a gaunt, ravenous stranger stumbles out of the dark carrying something that eats its hosts from the inside out.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of gaunt

Adjective

Now is a good time to shorten long, lanky canes that can whip around in Santa Ana and winter winds.

— Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
For two weeks, the lanky forward has sat and watched as the Clippers have let winnable games slip away in the final minutes.

— Janis Carr, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of lanky

Adjective

The large wooden desk is framed by a bookshelf painted pastel robin’s egg blue, and an antique cabinet that stands on tall spindly legs, its doors open, revealing rows of small, narrow dividers for sorting mail or paperwork.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026
The interior features mid-century modern furniture, circular mirrors, and most notably, a spindly tree that grows up through the middle of the dining room.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of spindly

Adjective

Coach Jeff Hafley has called the rangy 6-foot-4 receiver day to day but said Wednesday Douglas’ ankle wasn’t quite ready for a return to practice.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Tall, agile and rangy, the 6-foot-3, 155-pound Van Dellen believes football isn’t even his best sport.

— Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 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 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of gangly

adjective

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