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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 chances of two looking like that and being that size and in the same place are pretty slim. Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2025 What To Know The latest Emerson poll, conducted on October 20 and October 21, shows Hilton with a slim lead in the crowded field to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom in California next year. Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 After three seasons of winning most weeks, the chances of going full pelt once again were slim, even after a summer that saw an unprecedented £33million ($44m) spent on new signings. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025 This waterproof trench coat falls past the mid-thigh and has a slim fit and side flap pockets. Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim
Adjective
  • Instead of a hearty stew of beans, meat, and spices like cumin and chili powder, Skyline or Cincinnati chili is a thinner, slightly sweet meat sauce with strong notes of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
  • What the team found instead was a thin layer of clay, less than one-hundredth of an inch thick, which had formed on top of the animals’ skin.
    Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The minimalist silhouette is set on a slender 110mm stiletto heel, and features a delicate crossover toe strap, three straps over the back of the foot and slim straps around the ankle that give it a barely-there finish.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The long, slender necks and arched stems of Bosc pears, the round, silhouette of Comice.
    Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • A couple of weeks before the opening there was a launch of the memoir at Skylight which had a very sparse attendance.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Indeed, Mamdani’s promise to focus on affordability seems to have resonated with the rank-and file industry workers at a time of sparse job opportunities and skyrocketing cost of living.
    Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Add the ginger during the last minute of cooking, then transfer the mixture to a small bowl and set aside.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Martin knocked on the hunter’s small tent.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • United, some of whose senior leadership team, including its chief executive, Scott Kirby, came from American, has done the opposite and is in the process of adding thousands of screens to narrow-body planes both new and old, including Bluetooth technology for wireless headphones.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The Fitzgerald was designed to carry as much cargo as possible and still fit through the narrow locks at Sault Ste.
    Kevin Duchschere, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Crafted in Italy, the roomy, slip-on silhouette boasted a silver-tone leather upper, as well as a pointy toe and skinny 105mm stiletto heel.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2025
  • To portray the famous couple, Kourtney wore a mesh T-shirt, studded leather pants and a curly blonde wig, while the Blink-182 drummer wore a leather jacket, skinny jeans and a spiked black wig.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • At the same time, live sports are no longer scarce.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • When food is scarce, Edge said deer turn to berries from evergreen species like juniper.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid.
    Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
  • And then the third Wednesday is an off week.
    Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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