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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 Republicans hold a slim majority in the lower chamber. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 If traditional sandwiches were greasy and chaotic, the province of children and cartoon slobs, wraps were tidy and sensible, the province of working women with slim hips and pin-straight hair. Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025 That first leg ended 1-0 — a slim aggregate lead — and in the second leg back on Kiwi soil, the Australians won 2-0 with one of their goals a cruel deflection. Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 21 June 2025 The Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani shows are also among the biggest events planned for this edition of Milan Men’s Fashion Week, running through Tuesday but marked by a very slim schedule. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for slim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim
Adjective
  • Many houses, townhomes and apartment buildings in both the city and suburbs have only a few square feet of front yard, or are surrounded by a thin fringe of plantable area.
    Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • 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, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • As Artaserse, Kim’s performance took some time to ripen on Friday, his voice sometimes vanishingly slender and lagging behind the orchestra in his first aria to Semira.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
  • Here again, binoculars will prove most beneficial in helping to find not only Pollux and Castor, but this exceedingly slender lunar sliver.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Berrios, Cracraft and Dubose were sparse contributors last season because of injuries and the fact Malik Washington emerged as Miami’s slot receiver and primary returner.
    Omar Kelly July 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
  • At a tournament where much of the focus has been on sparse attendances, Madrid have got bigger crowds than anyone, drawing an average of 67,247.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • While the headline-grabbing CEOs are interesting, hearing the stories of smaller companies is absolutely fascinating.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • The local government of the small and far-from-wealthy hometown of Pope Leo XIV has voted to acquire the former Robert Prevost’s childhood home as a future museum.
    Howard Husock, National Review, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • The 2026 battle for the Senate Republicans currently control the U.S. Senate 53-47, a narrow majority that has nonetheless helped shepherd GOP priorities through Congress along party lines.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 12 July 2025
  • The class approved in New Hampshire is slightly narrower than that sought by the plaintiffs, who wanted to include parents, but attorneys said that wouldn't make a material difference.
    HOLLY RAMER, arkansasonline.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Right where the mural would be painted are two skinny wall panels between a set of balconies with a metal wall jutting out on the right.
    Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
  • In 2025, the bandage dress is experiencing a resurgence alongside the rise of a new skinny culture, fueled by the popularity of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, as well as social media trends such as SkinnyTok — a diet culture that is widespread on TikTok.
    Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Longevity Delivers More Than Health These stories prove what’s possible, even when resources are scarce.
    Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • But for most people real human attention is scarce.
    Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • No team could use an off day than the New York Mets.
    John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Entering play Thursday, an off day for the Yankees, the reigning American League MVP had the highest average (.361), OPS (1.180), fWAR (6.1) and wRC+ (221) in baseball.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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