as in dime
a very small sum of money
trying to start a business on a shoestring
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in spindly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shoestring
Jennifer Epstein, Bloomberg.com, 7 May 2020
In Greater Cincinnati, a mighty, mostly volunteer needle-exchange effort on a shoestring budget started in 2014.
—Terry Demio, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2019
David Morton, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2025
Shot on a shoestring budget, the pilot was a scrappy, crude comedy about three narcissistic bar owners in South Philly.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoestring
Noun
In 2016, the Trump campaign relied on stadium rallies, TV appearances and social media to compensate for its shoestring budget and thin staffing.
—Jennifer Epstein, Bloomberg.com, 7 May 2020
In Greater Cincinnati, a mighty, mostly volunteer needle-exchange effort on a shoestring budget started in 2014.
—Terry Demio, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2019
Adjective
The films showcased at the Florida Film Festival are an excellent example of how artful and heartfelt stories can be made on a shoestring budget.
—David Morton, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2025
Shot on a shoestring budget, the pilot was a scrappy, crude comedy about three narcissistic bar owners in South Philly.
—Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shoestring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoestring
Noun
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Lawmakers in New York tried to prevent Berkowitz and other convicts from profiting off of their crimes, leading them to pass the Son of Sam law in 1977 before the .44 Caliber Killer had a chance to collect a dime from his crimes.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Later, on a deep post, Rudolph threw a perfect dime between two defensive backs to Smith.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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These spindly designer picks will look right at home year-round and can elevate a space, inside or out.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
29 July 2025
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Overall, his spindly frame needs some filling out to help in battles, even though he’s shown a willingness to stick his nose into those.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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My waves turned brittle, and a candid photo of the back of my head revealed stringy, lifeless ends.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
30 July 2025
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Now, his hair is thinned, long and stringy and he’s lost significant weight.—
Charles Rabin
July 22,
Miami Herald,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Also, that Michael’s cart was comically small next to his lanky frame.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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My tall, lanky stature fit in both quite comfortably with lots of headroom, though the Porsche was just a bit more spacious and airy, and its seat felt tailor-made for me, too.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Her willowy frame takes a tremendous battering as brutes slam her into tables and through walls.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
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Just who was this willowy blond from Iowa City, Iowa?—
Gia Kourlas,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Mount developed his characterization, with his reedy voice, suspicious eyes and slumped posture, on set.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
4 Aug. 2025
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Liam sang most of the songs in his reedy yowl, all charisma with his hands pulled behind his back, head tilted up toward the sky and a parka often inexplicably zipped all the way up to his chin.—
Paula Mejía,
Vulture,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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When culture starts performing alignment instead of living it, most companies reach for fixes: tighter messaging, new values, more playbooks.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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That’s because of the NFL’s ownership rules, which are tighter than those in other sports.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Michael Giacchino’s excellent and subtly rangy musical score is a big plus.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
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Standing seven inches above the Filipino’s 5-foot-5 frame, Barrios, the tallest opponent Pacquiao ever fought, weaponizes his physical gifts with fundamentals like a stiff and rangy jab, a dangerous counter right and meaningful body punches.—
Josh Gross,
Oc Register,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shoestring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoestring. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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