thin 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthin How to pronounce thin (audio)
Definition of thinnext
1
as in skinny
having a noticeably small amount of body fat after starting a workout routine, she looked thinner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slender
being of less than usual width the thin threads of a cobweb

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3
as in thinned
not containing very much of some important element the evidence for that oddball theory is pretty thin

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thin

2 of 2

verb

as in to dilute
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances thinned the cream with milk but didn't tell anyone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective thin contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of thin are slender, slight, slim, and tenuous. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," 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

In what contexts can slender take the place of thin?

The words slender and thin can be used in similar contexts, but slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slight be a good substitute for thin?

The synonyms slight and thin are sometimes interchangeable, but slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is it sensible to use slim instead of thin?

The words slim and thin are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

Where would tenuous be a reasonable alternative to thin?

In some situations, the words tenuous and thin are roughly equivalent. However, tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

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 thin
Adjective
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, 30 Oct. 2025 The researchers overcame this by using molecular beam epitaxy, a precise technique for growing ultra-thin crystal layers. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
One where exhaust and propellant residues react with ozone, thinning the layer that shields life below. —New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025 The company’s ties to Telluride have thinned. —Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thin
  1. skinny
  2. slender
  3. dilute
  4. bony
  5. narrow
  6. diluted
  7. cut
  8. lean
Adjective
  • Test Kitchen Tips For a neater appearance, choose bacon that comes in long, skinny strips.
    — Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The shoes featured a pointed-toe silhouette and skinny 105mm heel.
    — Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
Definition of skinny
Adjective
  • Find mix-and-match patterns, sculptural light fixtures, and sleek furniture, whether that’s the look-at-me bar in green, or the slender modernist seats.
    — Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
  • But Ballad of a Small Player—adapted by Rowan Joffe from Lawrence Osborne’s novel—doesn’t give you much to hang onto besides style, and even those pleasures are slender.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of slender
Verb
  • Never use hydrogen peroxide at full strength on floors—dilute it with water before using.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The denim purveyor said in its complaint that the tab trademark has come to be known as a concrete signal that consumers are buying an authentic Levi’s product and argued that extraneous uses of that trademark could dilute or harm its own brand.
    — Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
Definition of dilute
Adjective
  • Lift your hips off the ground and place a block underneath your sacrum, the widest, boniest part of your pelvis.
    — Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
  • Differences in Adult Bones That being said, some adults are bonier than others.
    — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Definition of bony
Adjective
  • One was needed with a narrow temperature range; in Helm’s case, inglorious British maritime.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Its cities have narrow and twisting streets.
    — Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Essential oils can be used in various ways, such as inhaling them through a diffuser or applying a diluted solution to the skin.
    — Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Empty the bird baths and wash them with a diluted solution of vinegar and water, and dry before refilling.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Definition of diluted
Verb
  • The veteran coach believes the solution to the problem is to cut some games off the 82-game schedule, a view shared by Cleveland Cavaliers coach (and former Kerr assistant) Kenny Atkinson, who recently advocated for a 72-game season.
    — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The 10-year Treasury yield was little changed Friday following this week’s interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve and the central bank’s more hawkish tone on future policy.
    — Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Definition of cut
Adjective
  • While her husband is not a federal worker, his job’s income is irregular and food benefits help the family get through leaner times, in addition to side gigs like driving for DoorDash.
    — Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
  • As a result, his body got stronger and leaner, and the changes are showing up in his play.
    — Omar Kelly October 29, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of lean

Phrases Containing thin

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thimblerigs
thin
thing
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Cite this Entry

“Thin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thin. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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