slender

adjective

ˈslen-dər How to pronounce slender (audio)
Definition of slendernext
1
as in thin
being of less than usual width graceful, slender table legs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skinny
having a noticeably small amount of body fat unsurprisingly, the aerobics instructor is slender and athletic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable people of slender means simply can't afford those prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slender contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slender are slight, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When is slight a more appropriate choice than slender?

The words slight and slender are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When would slim be a good substitute for slender?

The words slim and slender can be used in similar contexts, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

In what contexts can tenuous take the place of slender?

Although the words tenuous and slender have much in common, tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When might thin be a better fit than slender?

While the synonyms thin and slender are close in meaning, 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 slender Sparks embraced the dainty strappy heels trend, which is taking over as spring transitions into summer, donning a pair of beige sandals with a simple, slender strap at the toe and ankle. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 9 June 2025 This slender strip of land south of Cape Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast—not to be confused with the nearby city of Cocoa—has six miles of gorgeous shores, easy access to the Banana River and the Thousand Islands Conservation Area. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 8 June 2025 McMillan also needs to continue working with Carolina’s strength staff, because his lower body has always been slender and could impact his physical ceiling. —Joseph Person, New York Times, 2 June 2025 The slender figures wear precious garments, enhanced with cabochons and pearls, and adorned with ornaments. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for slender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slender
  1. thin
  2. skinny
  3. sparse
  4. narrow
  5. bony
  6. scarce
  7. lean
  8. slim
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, 7 June 2025
  • The warm, sunny weather was helping the thin layer of oil evaporate, and the spill did not seem to harm wildlife, Laughlin said.
    — Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • Note skinnier carrots will cook faster than thicker ones.
    — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 June 2025
  • Quarterback Zach Wilson had a nice throw to tight end Jalin Conyers on a skinny post in 7-on-7s.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2025
Definition of skinny
Adjective
  • Soto, meanwhile, received a smattering of boos from a sparse crowd, particularly after a seventh-inning groundout.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
  • Juan Soto, meanwhile, went 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout and heard a smattering of boos from a sparse crowd after a seventh-inning groundout.
    — Peter Sblendorio, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2025
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • For decades, international philanthropy has framed Africa through a narrow lens: a continent in need, a landscape of poverty, disaster and helplessness.
    — Victoria Philips, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Beach replenishment also is planned, but the narrow right-of-way through San Clemente includes no room for a second set of tracks.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Definition of narrow
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
  • That's key in a country where good-paying jobs are scarce.
    — Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 8 June 2025
  • But information about food availability has been scarce by all accounts.
    — Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 6 June 2025
Definition of scarce
Adjective
  • As tech organizations flatten their hierarchies, restructure teams and return to leaner operating models, one skill separates executives who thrive from those who struggle: the ability to delegate.
    — Jimmie Lee, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • The fundamental premise behind Northwood is that a bottleneck constrains the ability to bring down data from space and that a lean, new-space approach can disrupt the existing industry.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 11 June 2025
Definition of lean
Adjective
  • The Senate holds a slim majority, and at least four Senators, including Paul, have publicly expressed concerns over parts of the bill (the others are Ron Johnson, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski).
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • But once the Pratt Street location was chosen, Levy saw chances as slim.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
Definition of slim

Browse Nearby Words

sleights of hand
slender
slenderness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slender. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on slender

Nglish: Translation of slender for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All