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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 Bring binoculars again because the moon will be slender, and, besides, the Pleiades look spectacular with a bit of magnification. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 The slender building was formerly used as storage by its previous owner, who bought and resold overstock products. Katie Akin, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025 The borer is essentially a narrow drill that extracts a slender core from a living tree without killing it. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 For his slender frame (6-foot-1, 181 pounds), his timed speed is below average and could force teams to look elsewhere. Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 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.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
  • The Biden administration lowered prices on 10 widely prescribed drugs, such as the blood thinner Eliquis, which will take effect in 2026.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • She was dressed for vacation in a sheer white long sleeve mini dress and slides, while the realtor wore a casual travel-day combo of skinny jeans, a white t-shirt and sneakers.
    Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 13 May 2025
  • Ball is too inattentive on that end despite his impressive offensive skill set, and Miller is quite skinny and struggles to wall up on opposing guards and wings through his core.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The production must be sparse, so the vocal isn’t overpowered.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025
  • Reversing these trends is difficult, especially since data is sparse on species declines, which is key to getting them legal protections.
    Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • This was a narrow approach, aimed at providing vouchers for students in districts that were in receivership (a sort of financial takeover primarily for financial issues).
    Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Sherrill has held a consistent yet narrow lead in recent surveys.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 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
  • These alliances are particularly beneficial for smaller organizations that stand to gain from pooled resources or those in regions where talent is scarce but demand for specialized staff is high.
    Randy Wong, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Ahead of Pink Elephant, the Montreal collective known for its insistent politics and uplifting lyricism was scarce and guarded in its direct communications.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • In Bordeaux, maritime humidity, vintage variation, and a later-ripening climate create a leaner, more structured profile.
    Jessica Dupuy, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • For overall health, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend choosing lean, unprocessed poultry when possible.5 6.
    Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • German filmmaker Petzold comes to Cannes for the first time with a minor-key new drama, which burrows into the psyche despite its slim running time and almost perverse refusal to explain itself or the shapes its narrative takes.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
  • The demonstrator, who had a slim build and was clad all in black, ran off.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slender. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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