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 It’s grown for its silver-gray, aromatic foliage topped by slender purple, blue, or white flowers that pollinators adore. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 July 2026 This slender iron frame has an airier presence than a bulkier upholstered or wood design. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026 In the absence of any significant demonstration of integrity or independence, this is a slender reed on which to rest a distinction. — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 The slender island, about 3 miles across at its widest point, is flanked by warm Gulf waters and a brackish bay, which hold an abundance of native species, such as grouper, red snapper, and shrimp. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slender

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

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

The narrow waterway passing between Iran and Oman serves as the main route for shipping crude from oil-rich countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait to the rest of the world.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
The fighting has severely disrupted shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime choke point that typically handles around a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

Since big grocers in those areas are already scarce, the food deserts would expand, not shrink.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
The companies positioned by this are the ones supplying the scarce inputs, the compute and the power sitting underneath every frontier model, American or Chinese alike.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of scarce

Adjective

Raymond Uco sees women’s denim—including for European fast-fashion brands—lean toward 100 percent cotton, while men’s denim is opting for some comfort stretch.

— Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
Sessa is an attractive young man with Tony's impossibly lean physique, who looks good in every single piece of 1975-era costuming.

— Laurie Woolever, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of lean

Adjective

According to its makers, one of 1ROLLO’s biggest practical advantages is its slim, single-wheel design.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026
Denim was the order of the day for Wilde, who sported Prada’s white, low-rise jeans with a slim-fitting silhouette.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 July 2026

Definition of slim

Cite this Entry

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“Slender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slender. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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