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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 First Dakota Johnson revives the 2010s hipster uniform of ankle boots, a flannel, and slender jeans at the US Open. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 Sep. 2026 Or perhaps as a slender volume whose first chapter signals its interest in parenting and dating in a blue collar Yorkshire town cast in a permanent pall of mist. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2026 The look is crisp, angular, and metallic, with lots of straight lines and slender silhouettes, and sits in pleasing contrast alongside luscious velvet and scratchy linen, rough stone, warm terracotta, or grainy timber. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026 For instance, a very slender friend of ours had come to get one more hole punched in her belt by Susie and was now walking around chatting with people, her belt cinched nice and tight. — Lydia Davis, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slender

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slender

Adjective

When new, concrete possesses a thin, temporarily protective layer that, if not maintained, will wear away, exposing the interior, which gradually crumbles.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Officials issued the alert Monday after a man shared with police an image appearing to show the dangerous reptile slithering from the thin branch of a tree onto the roof of a backyard shed.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

Elsewhere, Julia Fox erupted on the scene, sporting skinny brows, overly blushed cheeks, black liner and glossed lips, no less.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
There were handheld American flags on skinny sticks, midsize ones to display on a wall and majestic formal flags adorned with silky gold fringe.

— Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

If tree canopies looked denser in previous years but are starting to look sparse, your trees may be in trouble.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 28 Sep. 2026
However, sparse physical controls force heavy reliance on voice commands or the companion app, and the broader conceptual AI features fall short of being genuinely useful.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

But do such experiences meet the narrow definition of attachment?

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
When the pollsters gave likely voters additional, critical information about both candidates, Bass shot up by 5 points and took a narrow lead over Raman, 40% to 39%, with 21% undecided, according to FM3.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

In line with Parton’s original goal, the Imagination Library may do the most to change reading habits in lower-income homes – where children’s books tend to be scarce.

— Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
Both men said that California was expensive, housing too scarce, homelessness too common and education too often failing to serve the state’s children.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of scarce

Adjective

As Americans increasingly turn to GLP-1 medications — which have been linked to a loss of lean muscle, especially during rapid weight loss — experts say preserving strength and mobility should be a priority as people age.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
The moves are unfolding against D’Amaro’s broader effort to make Disney a leaner operation while increasing investment in areas the company considers strategic.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of lean

Adjective

Similar to ballerina sneakers that Nicole Kidman has worn but with a more posh feel, jazz shoes have a slim silhouette, delicate laces, and low heels that keep them feeling lighter than sneakers.

— Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
Ella Bright paired her dress with a multi-strand vintage pearl necklace from Dior as well as a pair of slim sunglasses from Saint Laurent.

— Madeline Dangmann, Glamour, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of slim

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

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