slight 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslīt How to pronounce slight (audio)
Definition of slightnext
1
as in weak
lacking bodily strength a small lad with a slight build

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2
as in minor
lacking importance a slight comedy that did nothing to further her career

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3
as in little
of a size that is less than average the slight youth packed a surprisingly solid punch

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4
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention apart from a slight fishy taste, the dish was fine

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5
as in small
small in degree only a slight chance of success

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slight

2 of 3

noun

as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings refused to respond to their petty slights

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slight

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the dancers felt slighted by the harsh comments of the judges

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2
as in to isolate
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely as a temp worker, she often feels slighted by the people she has to work with

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3
as in to disdain
to show contempt for music critics who slight any style of music that doesn't fit their personal taste

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4
as in to ignore
to fail to give proper attention to slighted several major authors in her survey of 20th-century fiction

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slight contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slight are slender, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is slender a more appropriate choice than slight?

While in some cases nearly identical to slight, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slim be a good substitute for slight?

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

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

When might tenuous be a better fit than slight?

The synonyms tenuous and slight are sometimes interchangeable, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is it sensible to use thin instead of slight?

The meanings of thin and slight largely overlap; however, 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

How does the adjective slight contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slight are slender, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is slender a more appropriate choice than slight?

While in some cases nearly identical to slight, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slim be a good substitute for slight?

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

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

When might tenuous be a better fit than slight?

The synonyms tenuous and slight are sometimes interchangeable, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is it sensible to use thin instead of slight?

The meanings of thin and slight largely overlap; however, 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

How does the adjective slight contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slight are slender, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is slender a more appropriate choice than slight?

While in some cases nearly identical to slight, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slim be a good substitute for slight?

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

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

When might tenuous be a better fit than slight?

The synonyms tenuous and slight are sometimes interchangeable, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is it sensible to use thin instead of slight?

The meanings of thin and slight largely overlap; however, 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 slight
Adjective
There were just a couple of slight changes in his on-stage patter Tuesday. —Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2026 According to the Selective Service System, about 81% of eligible men registered in 2024, a slight drop from the year before. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
Basketball Hall of Famer Reggie Miller was highly criticized for comparing Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's game to Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, with fans taking it as a slight toward Clark. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Mar. 2026 Even if a frustrating change of plans isn’t really anyone’s fault, you might be tempted to take it as a personal slight. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
But try to understand why your mom's feeling slighted. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025 Paramount feels slighted and discriminated against in the sale process. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slight
  1. weak
  2. minor
  3. little
  4. nominal
  5. small
  6. insult
  7. offend
  8. isolate
Adjective
  • Small hail is possible, and an isolated weak/brief tornado can't be ruled out.
    — Mary Ours, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Sean McMorris, transparency, ethics and accountability program manager with California Common Cause, a nonpartisan government watchdog, said in an email Friday that heavy reliance on outside vendors can increase the risk of fraud or mismanagement if oversight is weak.
    — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • There could be minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas, periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms, and urban and small stream flooding.
    — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • There is at least some truth that social media use may cause a minor rise in dopamine levels, but not in a way that resembles drugs or qualifies as addiction.
    — William Proctor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of minor
Adjective
  • Previous attempts to secure ceasefires have had little or no impact, with the two sides blaming each other for violations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Start by trimming the tough, dry ends off the bunch and chop them into little logs.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of little
Adjective
  • Based on the two Argentines’ limited head-to-head history on the Challengers circuit — all three meetings had been won by Burrachaga in three sets — the son of one of his country’s most famous soccer players was the nominal favorite.
    — Dale Robertson, Houston Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The lawsuit alleges Freeman Funeral Home accepted the baby’s remains for a nominal $500 fee but never followed through on its promise to provide him with a proper Christian burial.
    — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of nominal
Adjective
  • It was found [that] the actual tumor was pretty small.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Then, the family says two others broke through a small window, manhandled their dogs and stole priceless mementos handed down through their family over generations, along with the cash.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Definition of small
Noun
  • Players on other teams called him every racial insult.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
  • To the Heat, relegated to the play-in for a fourth straight season is (or should be) an insult.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of insult
Verb
  • Public supporters of the fines agreed that civil procedures against offending landlords were more expensive and time consuming than introducing higher fees.
    — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
  • However we are deeply offended by this and have no other choice but to condemn it wholeheartedly and ask for a public apology to the Christian brethren who have been deeply upset by this depiction.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of offend
Verb
  • Burke explained, however, the homes may be isolated by water covering the road.
    — Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Disconnecting the negative cable first isolates the battery and eliminates that possibility.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of isolate

Browse Nearby Words

sliding
slight
slighted
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Cite this Entry

“Slight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slight. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on slight

Nglish: Translation of slight for Spanish Speakers

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