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Definition of slightnext
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slight

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noun

slight

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verb

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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

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
Katz recommends beginning with slight declines. Alisa Hrustic, Health, 19 June 2026 That marked a slight increase from the 67,966 fans who saw Qatar tie Switzerland over the weekend with an extra time goal to give Qatar its first point in World Cup history. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Noun
People who are more prone to road rage are more easily triggered than others by their experiences on the road, and may tend to perceive incidents (whether accidental or not) as personal slights, Hennessy said. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 24 May 2026 As his relevance falters, Drake’s eye for slights and score-settling has grown so microscopic that even his stans need tweezers. Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 18 May 2026
Verb
As Cretton and Guest looked on and occasionally interjected, Abdul-Mateen described a tough first Zoom meeting that left him feeling slighted. Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026 Hitler always felt slighted by that rejection and, in later political life, preferred to spend most of his time discussing architecture and art. Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slight
Adjective
  • But lingering high ticket prices combined with weaker teams might mean sparse attendance.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
  • Tokyo wants to appear to be fighting a weak yen, while welcoming it in private.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • The driver of the pickup suffered minor injuries and declined the offer to be transported to a nearby hospital.
    CBS Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 21 June 2026
  • After signing a minor-league deal earlier in the month, outfielder Jarred Kelenic was entered into the Texas Rangers’ starting lineup in the 6-4 extra-innings loss to the San Diego Padres on Saturday at Globe Life Field.
    Cal Phillips, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • There, officers found the little girl with severe, life-threatening injuries.
    Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 21 June 2026
  • Contrary to popular belief, the central bank has little influence over home loan rates.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • The nominal plan is to launch the test lander (essentially a crew module of the Blue Moon Mk2 vehicle) on New Glenn.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026
  • The rocket's success on this most recent flight hopefully put the vehicle back on course for more nominal missions ahead.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • After selling baklava at the Stock Show, the Unlus rented their first resraurant space in a small Eighth Avenue food hall.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2026
  • The Virgo moon asks you to focus on the small tasks.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Former Chair Jerome Powell for months was hit with insults when the Fed either didn't lower rates, or didn't lower them enough.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 17 June 2026
  • Turns out, this is a term of endearment, not an insult.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Qatari midfielder Assim Madibo was sent off for the offending tackle and appeared distraught before he was ejected.
    Mark Hodge, NBC news, 19 June 2026
  • At intervals John would shamble around the stage in a cruel parody of a disabled person, which in those days offended no one.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Firefighters have also isolated lithium-ion batteries and have hoselines dousing them.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • To isolate the more desirable U-235, scientists strip away its more stable cousin, U-238, through a process known as enrichment.
    Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Slight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slight. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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