Synonyms of slim

slim

adjective

ˈslim 

1

as in thin

being of less than usual width

a slim volume of poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thin
• slender
• narrow
• skinny
• fine
• tight
• ultrathin
• close
• paper-thin
• needlelike
• linear
• spare
• elongate
• condensed
• slim-jim
• compressed
• tightened
• attenuated
• squeezed
• hairline
• lanky
• constricted
• willowy
• contracted
• spindly
• wispy
• reedy
• rangy
• stringy
• twiggy
• attenuate
• lank
• stalky
• bottleneck
• shoestring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wide
• broad
• fat
• thick
• stocky
• chunky
• stumpy
• squat
• thickset
• bulky
• voluminous
• massive
• thickish
• widish

2

as in slender

having a noticeably small amount of body fat

the pressure on ballet dancers to remain gracefully slim

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slender
• skinny
• thin
• lean
• bony
• svelte
• gaunt
• angular
• lithe
• trim
• skeletal
• fatless
• spare
• haggard
• willowy
• wiry
• scrawny
• lanky
• sinewy
• rawboned
• sylphlike
• spindly
• reedy
• weedy
• anorexic
• lank
• clean-limbed
• stringy
• meager
• twiggy
• waspish
• emaciated
• scraggy
• rangy
• pinched
• puny
• wizened
• anorectic
• cadaverous
• slight
• wasted
• spindling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• plump
• chubby
• fat
• rotund
• overweight
• obese
• corpulent
• thick
• bulky
• stocky
• portly
• beefy
• stout
• tubby
• chunky
• heavy
• fleshy
• gross
• heavyset
• weighty
• thickset
• burly
• pudgy
• stubby
• husky
• brawny
• dumpy
• squat
• paunchy
• soft
• flabby
• potbellied
• buxom
• full
• round
• roly-poly
• hippy
• zaftig

3

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable

slim pickings at the garage sale

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sparse
• scarce
• slender
• poor
• skimpy
• meager
• lowest
• scanty
• scant
• small
• light
• lacking
• short
• exiguous
• stingy
• insufficient
• spare
• inadequate
• minimal
• sparing
• thin
• mere
• thin on the ground
• hand-to-mouth
• skimp
• deficient
• least
• slightest
• wanting
• bare-bones
• sterile
• littlest
• bare
• slight
• unfruitful
• barren
• unproductive
• infertile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• generous
• ample
• abundant
• adequate
• sufficient
• plentiful
• satisfactory
• liberal
• enough
• bountiful
• copious
• rich
• fat
• tolerable
• fertile
• prolific
• fruitful
• plenteous
• lavish
• luxuriant
• extra
• thriving
• flourishing
• fecund
• bursting
• excess
• proliferative
• surplus
• blooming
• teeming
• swarming

4

as in small

small in degree

a slim chance is still better than none

Synonyms & Similar Words

• small
• off
• slight
• fragile
• negligible
• remote
• minimal
• marginal
• outside
• tiny
• frail
• minor
• little

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• good
• large
• great
• significant
• distinct
• substantial
• healthy
• considerable
• sizable
• respectable
• tidy
• goodly
• largish

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slim contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slim are slender, slight, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

When is it sensible to use slender instead of slim?

The words slender and slim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Where would slight be a reasonable alternative to slim?

In some situations, the words slight and slim are roughly equivalent. However, slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When can tenuous be used instead of slim?

The words tenuous and slim can be used in similar contexts, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is thin a more appropriate choice than slim?

While in some cases nearly identical to slim, 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

Recent Examples of slim

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal is citing senior American negotiators and officials as saying chances of an agreement with Iran by tonight's deadline are slim. —Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026

The situation has left aid organizations scrambling for alternatives, but options are slim, particularly in countries with limited resources. —Fatma Tanis, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026

With its exaggerated collar and slim-fitting pants, this outfit is the definition of elevated athleisure. —Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 6 Apr. 2026

Despite rampant speculation about what might happen if two Republicans advance to the general election, Guerra said the odds of Democrats being locked out of the race are, in reality, slim. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026