lithe

adjective

ˈlīt͟h How to pronounce lithe (audio)
Definition of lithenext
1
as in flexible
able to bend easily without breaking the lithe blade of a fencing foil

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in graceful
moving easily lithe dancers glided across the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slender
having a noticeably small amount of body fat she has the lithe, sinewy body of a distance runner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 lithe The herd’s lithe necks drifted above the bush in one ethereal mass, moving like a corps de ballet against a pale blue sky. — Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026 And while the curb weight is a good deal more than a Miata or BRZ, compared to the usual diet of crossovers and EVs, the Prelude feels remarkably lithe and nimble. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 June 2026 Gershon’s Corky, lithe and tattooed, ended up being the stuff of butch lesbian dreams — which apparently held true offscreen as much as on. — Caroline Framke, Vulture, 8 June 2026 The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is clean, lithe, and snappy. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lithe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lithe
  1. flexible
  2. graceful
  3. slender
  4. willowy
  5. skinny
  6. plastic
  7. thin
  8. limber
Adjective
  • The water-rich, flexible gel made from biotech fascinated her.
    — Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Gloves combine heavy-duty heat resistance with a flexible, comfortable fit for grilling, smoking, cooking and handling hot equipment.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of flexible
Adjective
  • Memories of a childhood marked by economic hardship and abuse intertwine with the natural world in this graceful début memoir, which is structured around the author’s seven-year project of walking every street in Santa Cruz County, in California.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The good news is that Venus in Libra can improve professional visibility, making negotiations and professional opportunities all the more graceful and prosperous.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of graceful
Adjective
  • At a nearby table, a pair of slender metallic arms was folding and refolding a blue T-shirt.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In this tall, slender building though, there’s a feel of being tucked away in the eaves of a guesthouse on some cobblestoned European side street, especially after the long and creaky elevator ride.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of slender
Adjective
  • Cosmos Cosmos help create an ethereal-looking garden, thanks to their long, willowy stems and bright, fluffy blooms that come in dozens of vibrant colors, from rich chocolate cosmos to delicate ‘Apricotta’ tones.
    — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
  • Or gawky characters, all angular bone structures and willowy limbs?
    — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 3 July 2026
Definition of willowy
Adjective
  • Must-order side dishes include authentic, crisp and skinny French fries, redolent of truffle, and giant slices of roasted Brussels sprouts.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • Maybe that’s why replacing all my skinny jeans with wide-leg styles never quite solved my own denim dilemma.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 31 July 2026
Definition of skinny
Adjective
  • Nerheim noted the store receipts indicated the purchase of acid, coveralls, goggles, gloves, plastic sheeting, saw blades, bleach and garbage bags.
    — Barbara Vitello, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Because they’re designed to fit the plastic bubble of their packaging, this scale isn’t always consistent.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of plastic
Adjective
  • The Orioles’ Taylor Ward has been at or near the top of the shopping list for every team seeking a righty-hitting outfield bat since the market for players like him may never have been thinner.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Improperly Drying Flammable Items Drying clothes stained with any type of chemical stains such as gasoline, paint thinner, or acetone is a hazard.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • Two ultra-limber actors — Hassiem Muhammad and Ryan Sellers — in garish body makeup (and dance shoes) merge limbs and psyches for an electric demonstration of poetry in motion.
    — Peter Marks, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023
  • For thousands of years, people have turned to yoga to feel more limber, release stress and rejuvenate their overall physical and mental health.
    — Forrest Brown, CNN, 21 June 2022
Definition of limber

Browse Nearby Words

literati
lithe
litheness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lithe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lithe. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on lithe

Nglish: Translation of lithe for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All