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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 But Cummings prefers to mail the slender tubes back to Crown Bees, which will care for them over the winter. Martha Ann Overland, NPR, 6 Apr. 2025 The tower’s slender triangles look diaphanous from a distance, but from the sidewalk the building resembles a fortress, with a 186-foot concrete-and-steel base safeguarding the 94 stories above from bombings. David W. Dunlap, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 On top of the El Dorado’s twin towers, nearly 400 feet in the air, were two men balancing on the slender ziggurat peaks. Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 21 Mar. 2025 With their lanky legs and slender necks, sandhill cranes stand roughly three to four feet tall. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slender
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.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Ibrahim had black hair and looked thin from malnutrition.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are the shoes to wear with skinny jeans to look chic in Spring 2025.
    Renata Joffre, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Advance Denim is expanding its stretch technologies to support the resurgence of skinny jeans in the market.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The trend left a lasting impact on Marchand and others in her generation who were left with sparse, barely-there brows.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Prevent seeds from establishing by maintaining a healthy lawn, stop seed germination with pre-emergent herbicides, Maintain a Healthy Lawn Dandelions thrive in thin, sparse lawns and garden beds.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On Saturday, the narrow field caused both teams to adapt to tighter spaces and quicker play.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Encircled by ancient stone walls, the village feels suspended in time, with narrow cobbled streets, where artisans’ shops, small galleries, and charming cafés are tucked into old white houses outlined in blue, blending seamlessly with the historic character.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
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
Adjective
  • The area normally can expect 38.4 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Chicago was warmer than average during the 2023-24 season, which meant snow was scarce.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Food was scarce, basic hygiene was a challenge, and tropical bugs feasted on our bodies.
    Lauren Vuong, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With between-the-tackles runner Ray Davis on the roster for the next three seasons, a pass-catching presence would be the likely lean if the Bills do take one.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The modern paleo diet includes foods such fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Which is why, day after day, the deeply faithful and the merely curious alike assemble before St. Peter's to stare at that slim chimney.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As is common for ultraportables, the port selection is slim but capable.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Slender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slender. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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