SLENDER Synonyms: 178 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

slender

adjective

ˈslen-dər

Definition of slender

as in thin

being of less than usual width graceful, slender table legs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in skinny

having a noticeably small amount of body fat unsurprisingly, the aerobics instructor is slender and athletic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable people of slender means simply can't afford those prices

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Silescelida acristata was a relatively small, slender animal that moved on all four limbs. — The Conversation, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 Forever Goldy® maintains a compact, pyramidal form and slender profile without pruning. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026 Most stunning of all is the long and slender, all-carbon fiber body streamliner land-speed record vehicle the shop is partnering on with Steve Morris Engines and Labware. — Joe Marusak august 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026 The HushJet Mini has a slender design that slips right inside my travel backpack’s bottle pouch. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slender

Adjective

With a steely disposition, Dikha is seen in the videos standing at the very front of a thin boat, executing a repetitive series of dance moves as a line of rowers propel them through a river.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
The mountain of seafood comes with a little sidecar of very thin, very crispy potato chips, seemingly for the hell of it, and a bottle of tart, fiery homemade hot sauce.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

Police described the intruder as a 6-foot-tall skinny Black man between 30 and 40 years old, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

— Logan Hall, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Their Dom Sandals feature skinny, understated straps, including one around the ankle/back of the foot for security.

— Anna Traver, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

Even within the sparse and widely untouched sector, CBP is not beginning from zero.

— Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Those funds have grown ever sparser as the administration of new President Jose Antonio Kast, who took office in March, has announced cuts to the Ministry of Culture and various competitive funds for the Arts.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

Enclosed by a network of 13th-century walls, the narrow streets of old York host myriad awe-inspiring relics from its pre-industrial past, perhaps the most famous being York Minster, one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals anywhere.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
The noun developed later for something removed or separated—hence a narrow strip of land, cloth, or material.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

When bulbs start growing and blooming in spring or summer, water them only when the soil feels dry to the touch and rainfall is scarce.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026
Instead of solely selling hardware and software, Nvidia is leveraging its strong financial position to create a financing ecosystem, enabling customers to access scarce compute at scale.

— Sanjit Singh Dang, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of scarce

Adjective

Mass General Brigham researchers note that loss of lean body mass happens with any significant weight loss, not just weight loss driven by these drugs.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026
Another Solid Wood Option These Rejuvenation bar stools with a midcentury-modern lean look right at home in senior shopping editor Nashia Baker’s Brooklyn apartment, where most of the furniture and decor already followed the design style.

— Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of lean

Adjective

Throughout the day on Tuesday, administration officials signaled that the chances of reaching an agreement were slim, according to Bloomberg.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Here again, in this slim book, the narrative unfolds in fragments, every sentence drawing you deeper into the delights of language.

— Amitava Kumar, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of slim

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“Slender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slender. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of slender

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