as in dime
a very small sum of money
trying to start a business on a shoestring
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in spindly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shoestring
Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
Interior designer Kelley Kolettis based out of Little Rock, Arkansas, especially looks to shop on a shoestring for home decor items that will need to be replaced often.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2025
Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2021
Recent polls show that public opinion of Trump is souring as former Vice President Joe Biden pulls ahead in crucial swing states, despite a shoestring campaign and self-confinement to his Delaware home.
—Justin Sink, Bloomberg.com, 12 May 2020
See All Example Sentences for shoestring
Noun
There was Tim Mara, who started it all on a shoestring, and then passed the team down to his sons, Wellington and Jack.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
Interior designer Kelley Kolettis based out of Little Rock, Arkansas, especially looks to shop on a shoestring for home decor items that will need to be replaced often.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
The nonpartisan Wahl-O-Mat runs on a shoestring annual budget of 100,000 euros, or $120,000, with just three staff members under the aegis of the federal agency for civic education (BPB), Pamela Brandt, project manager since 2004, said in an interview.
—Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2021
Recent polls show that public opinion of Trump is souring as former Vice President Joe Biden pulls ahead in crucial swing states, despite a shoestring campaign and self-confinement to his Delaware home.
—Justin Sink, Bloomberg.com, 12 May 2020
See All Example Sentences for shoestring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shoestring
Noun
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Lucky for the forgetful reader who checked out the book, the library got rid of overdue fines in 2021, so they won’t be charged a dime.—
Saul Pink,
San Antonio Express-News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Unfortunately, Bad Bunny won't make a dime from performing the halftime show at Super Bowl LX.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Cut yourself a big bouquet and trim spindly, dead or crossing branches to encourage better blooms this spring.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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These spindly designer picks will look right at home year-round and can elevate a space, inside or out.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Use a bit of hair powder to keep your bangs from appearing stringy.—
Krista Carter,
InStyle,
27 Jan. 2026
-
It's typically dried rather than eaten raw, with a brittle shell and stringy pulp that's traditionally cracked open and steeped to make a mildly sweet, herbal tea.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Bangs are having a big, bold moment thus far in 2026, and Kardashian's wispy fringe is right on trend.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Roan turned heads in a semi-sheer gown that featured a see-through wispy skirt, intricate beading, lace details, cap sleeves with structured shoulders, and a lace-up corset.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Focus on removing crossing, touching, weak, or misshapen branches that grow upwards or downwards into other layers, and remove twiggy, spindly growth down the trunk.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
18 Jan. 2026
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Soften the twiggy grapevine with sprigs of feathery broomcorn seed heads tucked between the garland stems.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But Dieng is a very athletic, lanky wing at 6-foot-9.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Newsom’s lanky frame was folded onto a sofa a bit too low-slung for him.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Moss-colored chaise longues in the living area, piled with pillows and wool blankets, are perfectly positioned to take in the view, as are the four-poster beds with wool-blend mattresses and willowy gauzy curtains.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
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Given the differences in Western and Eastern beauty standards, and the realities of setting a romance in the hockey world, neither Shane nor Ilya fit the mold of BL’s feminine, willowy bishonen.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Park lakes and reedy little streams—anything not too polluted from the steel factories.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
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But his voice is still warm and reedy—a deviated septum helps give it that slight nasal edge—and the notes land precisely, if not predictably.—
Alex Abramovich,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shoestring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shoestring. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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