SLIM Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

slim

adjective

ˈslim

Definition of slim

as in thin

being of less than usual width a slim volume of poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slender

having a noticeably small amount of body fat the pressure on ballet dancers to remain gracefully slim

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable slim pickings at the garage sale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

small in degree a slim chance is still better than none

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 slim majorities in both the upper and lower chambers of Congress, while polls suggest a possible victory by Democrats in November. — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 26 July 2026 The characterization of Kozue’s parents feels especially slim, their clichéd attributes easy shortcuts to emotion. — Elena Lazic, Variety, 25 July 2026 However, the Cook opinion was 5-4, only a slim majority of the nine justices supported it. — Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 The silhouettes have become slimmer, the leather softer, the construction less rigid, and the color palettes shifted toward more natural shades. — Lucrezia Malavolta, Glamour, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

Adjective

Somehow director Sam Hargrave and writer David Coggeshall have turned that thinnest of concepts into a feature-length action comedy film for Apple TV.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2026
Catcher Liam Hicks could also profile as an attractive piece, particularly as the catching market is thin.

— Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

The sandals feature simple, elegant lines that come together in an innovative design, characterized by a slender strap that starts as a slingback and wraps around the foot, culminating in a wavy design over the toe.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 21 July 2026
The image depicts a fairly slender-looking screen-free wearable, but one that looks distinctly wider than the Fitbit Air.

— Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of slender

Adjective

Choose one grounding task, one budget-friendly move, and one small boundary.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026
If reliable payment flows depend on a small number of large miners or dedicated pools, Bitcoin payments could become faster and more commercial, but also more dependent on specific infrastructure providers.

— Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

This year, lawmakers introduced narrower proposals, including a bill to create a statewide HOA complaint tracking system, but those measures remain stuck in committee.

— Nora O'Neill July 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026
Given how unsettled the AI capital-spending cycle, macro policy, and geopolitical risk all are simultaneously, genuine diversification away from a narrow, concentrated public market has real value—and arguably more than usual.

— Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

Work used to be a fat hamburger with skinny buns, as the meat of the work was the actual doing of the task.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 July 2026
However, with 1990s nostalgia fueling the return of matte minimalism in makeup, skinny brows aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 27 July 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

Friday’s game began a 13-game run without an off day for the Rangers.

— Cal Phillips Updated July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
Keep refrigerated foods cold, store leftovers promptly and always check for signs of spoilage such as an off smell, mold or changes in texture.

— LeeAnn Weintraub, Oc Register, 25 July 2026

Definition of off

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slights

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“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of slim

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