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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 The Silicon Valley giant touts it as their slimmest phone offering ever. James Powel, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025 Puma Arizona Sneakers Lightweight sneakers are ideal for travel, and incidentally, a slimmer fit is trending this season. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025 Jansson’s Summer Book is about as perfect as novels get—a slim, specific coming-of-age story. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025 The Toronto Blue Jays are hoping to hold onto a slim lead in the American League East division without one of their top players available. Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim
Adjective
  • Leaders who pay attention to these lessons now will be best prepared to thrive in a world where the boundaries between Earth and orbit are becoming ever thinner.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 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.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This further shrank the already slender Republican House majority.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • There are several superstar cameos, and they’re nicely integrated into the movie’s slender plot.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Model Drift and Fraud Patterns Require Human Feedback In fraud detection, patterns evolve quickly and data remains sparse.
    Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The floors will be reclaimed plastic and concrete, and the equipment in the hospital will be sparse, as there are no monitors available, Hawash-Kuemmerle said.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This personal blender can whip up breakfast smoothies, sauces and dips, salsas, omelets, and more thanks to its small but mighty 250-watt power base and stainless steel cross blade.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Among its 14 plant oils are argan kernel and rice bran, which regulate sebum production and loosen dead skin cells, respectively—and, together, leave your pores looking significantly smaller and your skin significantly smoother.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Students have a narrow window to unlock access to training that could dramatically shape their post-grad trajectory.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • For decades, OPOs have been bulky systems with narrow ranges.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Struggling to put on a pair of tight skinny jeans has become a thing of the past.
    Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
  • On a first-and-10 from the UC 34-yard line, Arnold took a shotgun snap and hit receiver Sean Lander on a skinny post for a 34-yard touchdown.
    Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The position of elementary education among the least susceptible to poverty might be surprising, but elementary school teachers are scarce and in demand.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The number of investigations is scarce not because of a lack of potential violations.
    Max Blau, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Though his request to play in Napa was denied, his off-course involvement is already proving to be a unifying force.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • However, he was involved in an off-field accident that forced the Royals to shift their pitching plans.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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