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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Slice the steak ⅛-inch to ¼-inch-thick; the thinner the better for quick-cooking steak that will absorb more sauce. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Its audio is better than most thin TVs, thanks to Onkyo tuning, though a soundbar will still enhance movie nights. —PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Non-transplanted hair can still thin over time, so innovative plans preserve grafts for the future. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 That thinning prospect pool means there are fewer forwards to pull from, too. —The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 3 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
  • The device, about the size of a hockey puck, is filled with blood and hangs from his skinny frame.
    — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The scarf collage tops and skinny pants from Celine.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of skinny
Adjective
  • The slender aspens unfurl golden banners against the dark wall of evergreens.
    — Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The shoes featured a scalloped toe box in a pale pink hue, offset by gold slingback straps and slender matching heels.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Definition of slender
Verb
  • But in some facilities, a much cheaper liquid is used to dilute it or substitute for it.
    — Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
  • And while the study doesn't answer the question of whether an animal feeding operation is built in a certain community or whether a certain community settles around it, Goldstein says that doesn’t dilute the study’s take-home message.
    — Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 9 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
  • Colorado State is currently mired in a three-game losing streak, following a narrow 21-17 win over Northern Colorado.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Whatever the catalyst, a change in the political environment seemed to connect with a social change that brought back narrow, and at times constrictive, ideas of womanhood depicted in media.
    — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Spray the door generously with cleaner or use a microfiber cloth to wet the door with the diluted vinegar mixture.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Too many companies try to achieve a laundry list of objectives, resulting in a diluted and less-effective program.
    — Erika Andersson, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of diluted
Verb
  • Timberview had cut the lead to 32-22 but couldn’t stop the Jaguars’ rushing attack.
    — Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The Philippine Fault Zone, which cuts across the archipelago, is one of many active faults responsible for significant seismic events.
    — Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Definition of cut
Adjective
  • Get a lean, mean cleaning machine for less thanks to these Prime Big Deal Days robot vacuum and mop deals.
    — Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Whether a proliferation of new Gatorade products runs counter to the leaner assortment Elliott wants to see across drink brands remains to be seen.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 8 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 15 Oct. 2025.

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