SLIM Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

slim

adjective

ˈslim

Definition of slim

as in thin

being of less than usual width a slim volume of poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slender

having a noticeably small amount of body fat the pressure on ballet dancers to remain gracefully slim

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable slim pickings at the garage sale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

small in degree a slim chance is still better than none

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 slim The Associated Press Google on Wednesday unveiled its latest lineup of Pixel phones, with slimmer cameras that include more a powerful zoom and artificial intelligence features designed to help users accomplish things with fewer taps and swipes. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 When packing up, the legs collapse parallel to the main body, so the entire unit forms a slim profile that slides into the side pocket or main compartment of a standard backpack. — New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026 That could jeopardize the slim House majority in what is set to be a difficult midterm election for Republicans. — Gavin Jackson, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 The other potential development area has a slimmer time frame to spin to life before conditions get more hostile around midweek. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

Adjective

Farinacci often spent days and even weeks scouting potential fire locations, monitoring weather and wildfire data, and planning to set multiple fires to stretch firefighting resources thin, according to detectives.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Those moments are sobering reminders of just how thin the margins are for the Phillies rotation, which has been excellent for the most part, though extremely top-heavy.

— Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

The Kennedy Center has grown increasingly marooned from its many patrons and performing arts peers in recent months, and today has a starkly sparse programming schedule.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Inside Colombia, tremors from the quake’s epicenter reached as far as the remote region of Chocó on Monday, where sparse inroads could potentially delay efforts to reach more than half a million residents, according to Grece.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

These vines will also happily wind their way around tree trunks and shrubs and fix themselves in place with small rootlets that take on a hairy appearance as poison ivy plants mature.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
Tidy a corner and play a favorite song, letting a small routine remind everyone that care comes through simple, repeatable acts.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Totality — when the sun is completely obscured — is only visible within the narrow path of the moon's shadow.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The part east of West Broadway that bleeds into the grit of the Financial District, the skyscrapers so tall and the streets so narrow that sunlight doesn’t reach much at all.

— Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

Sorry millennials, skinny jeans have taken a back seat lately for baggier styles, and Emily Ratajkowski isn’t the only celeb on board.

— Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 9 Aug. 2026
This peak Millennial era was a mix of hipster and bohemian aesthetic, with skinny jeans, flannel shirts, flowy lace dresses, oversized felt hats, and combat boots or TOMS Shoes (Hey, remember those?

— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

Here, the two twin in camel coats in an off-duty moment at Paris Fashion Week 2022.

— Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
With a number of off days on the upcoming schedule and five healthy starters already in their rotation, the Yankees should be able to make that strategy work without taxing their bullpen.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of off

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“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of slim

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