SHOESTRING Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

shoestring 1 of 2

noun

ˈshü-ˌstriŋ

Definition of shoestring

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

shoestring

2 of 2

adjective

as in spindly

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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 shoestring

Noun

The team, Knecht says, is mostly made up of volunteers and has a shoestring budget with funding from the Pacific Northwest Archaeological Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution, among others. — Samantha Watson, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026 But the clever props design (Bruce Dickinson and Anna Kraus) fills in any shoestring gaps. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Adjective

First-time customer Regan Hau ate the chili alongside a basket of shoestring french fries, an item Waite said Town Topic didn’t offer until the ‘80s. — Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025 Shot on a shoestring $2 million budget from private financing by Altavista Films — a rarity in late-’90s Mexico where most movies were still state-subsidized — Amores Perros was edited by Iñárritu himself, in his home, over several grueling months. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for shoestring

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoestring

Noun

On Brooklyn’s next trip, Sharpe threw a dime and Randle buried a 25-footer.

— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
Apparently, the pop singer, who had recently been living in the Miami area to record a new album, didn’t get a dime.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of dime

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

While technically edible, the average carve-able jack-o-lantern pumpkin is woody, watery, and stringy in texture—not at all pleasant to eat.

— Sydney Price, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2026
Some of my earliest memories include sitting around the kitchen table watching my mom pull out the stringy pumpkin guts so my dad could carve a silly face on it.

— Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of stringy

Adjective

Photos show the wispy material emerged from between the walls of a loft built over the kitchen, which dates to 1817 and suffered a roof fire in the late 19th century.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2026
Her har was swept into a low ponytail secured with a cream scrunchie, with her wispy bangs falling around her face.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of wispy

Adjective

Asked about McDaniels after practice on Monday, before this deal was done, Ball raved about his lanky teammate's capability and compared him to a video game creation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Korean and rubellum mums grow lankier at 2-4 feet tall and look beautiful draped along a fence or in the middle of a flower border.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of lanky

Adjective

However, the primary reason for these willowy airfoils is entirely practical.

— David Szondy August 04, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of willowy

Adjective

As Jay waddles into the water, the waves seem to want to shove the reedy young man back to shore.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The nerdiness of her team’s approach, and the general scrappiness of the entire department under the leadership of the reedy Noda, gives the movie a sweet but sad spirit of resilience in the face of terrible odds.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of reedy

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shoes

shoestring

shone

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“Shoestring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoestring. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of shoestring

noun

adjective

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