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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slender contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slender are slight, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When is slight a more appropriate choice than slender?

The words slight and slender are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When would slim be a good substitute for slender?

The words slim and slender can be used in similar contexts, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

In what contexts can tenuous take the place of slender?

Although the words tenuous and slender have much in common, tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When might thin be a better fit than slender?

While the synonyms thin and slender are close in meaning, thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance.

thin wire
a thin soup

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 slender Massive columns, slender spires and impossibly balanced boulders loom above the timber. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025 The Guangnan slender gecko was discovered just under 50 miles from its closest relative, the Yanshan slender gecko, accoridng to the study. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025 By redistributing volume along the fuselage, especially with a long and slender nose, designers can stretch and stagger pressure rises, allowing pressure to reach the ground as gentle steps rather than a sudden spike. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025 Both occupants are protected from the elements within the slender chassis, and are strapped in by three-point seatbelts. New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slender
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Pair the duo with fairy lights, a thin linen runner, and more faux foliage to create a stunning seasonal scene.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For a cozy, preppy look for fall, for example, pair your favorite brown riding boots with black leggings or skinny jeans and a sweater.
    Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Marguerite Another skinny silhouette, just a little longer.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • All these people took advantage of the sheep population, but a remnant of the herd remained among the rocky crags of the San Andres, where grass is sparse and water rare.
    Tim Kelly, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Details surrounding the episode were initially sparse.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • They’re also made with arch support and a toe box that’s not too narrow or crammed, per the brand, plus the rubber sole offers a nice cushioned platform with each step.
    Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • With Republicans holding only a narrow majority, the outcomes could shape the balance of power heading into 2026.
    Grace Sandman, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lift your hips off the ground and place a block underneath your sacrum, the widest, boniest part of your pelvis.
    Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
  • Differences in Adult Bones That being said, some adults are bonier than others.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Adjective
  • Treat storage as a scarce public good.
    Phil De Luna, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Water is scarce, rationed to just three hours a day in some districts, and packs of stray dogs roam the city.
    Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rizzoli’s anchovy fillets were leaner than what our panel preferred.
    Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The result is a resilient, insight-ready infrastructure that supports faster investigations, leaner maintenance and more agile process improvement—without compromising the stringent regulatory environment that defines the industry.
    Nagesh Nama, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s made from soft, stretchy mesh fabric and has a slim fit that accentuates all the right places.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Currently available for 27 percent off, the slim bag boasts more than enough space for spare clothes, toiletries, and in-flight essentials thanks to its roomy 31-liter volume.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slender. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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