slight 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslīt How to pronounce slight (audio)
Definition of slightnext
1
as in weak
lacking bodily strength a small lad with a slight build

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2
as in minor
lacking importance a slight comedy that did nothing to further her career

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3
as in little
of a size that is less than average the slight youth packed a surprisingly solid punch

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4
as in nominal
so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention apart from a slight fishy taste, the dish was fine

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5
as in small
small in degree only a slight chance of success

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slight

2 of 3

noun

as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings refused to respond to their petty slights

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slight

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the dancers felt slighted by the harsh comments of the judges

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2
as in to isolate
to deliberately ignore or treat rudely as a temp worker, she often feels slighted by the people she has to work with

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3
as in to disdain
to show contempt for music critics who slight any style of music that doesn't fit their personal taste

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4
as in to ignore
to fail to give proper attention to slighted several major authors in her survey of 20th-century fiction

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slight contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slight are slender, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is slender a more appropriate choice than slight?

While in some cases nearly identical to slight, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slim be a good substitute for slight?

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

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

When might tenuous be a better fit than slight?

The synonyms tenuous and slight are sometimes interchangeable, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is it sensible to use thin instead of slight?

The meanings of thin and slight largely overlap; however, 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 slight
Adjective
The weather service said there was a slight chance that thunder and lightning might appear near the Central Coast, especially over the ocean. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026 In an October 2025 poll, a slight majority said that radical change is needed to make life better in America, compared to 32% who answered only small change is needed. —Jennifer Lynn McCoy, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Ailes also wasn’t one to forget a slight. —Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026 While frustration, in these cases, is understandable, responding to every slight may not be worth your energy. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Paramount feels slighted and discriminated against in the sale process. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025 While these moves don’t slight the new opponents, many believe powerhouse programs like Alabama should be scheduling tougher competition during the season. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slight
  1. weak
  2. minor
  3. little
  4. nominal
  5. small
  6. insult
  7. offend
  8. isolate
Adjective
  • Bangladesh’s woes have not improved much since Hasina’s ouster, with high inflation and a weak taka currency combining to erode real incomes for ordinary households.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Pinterest posted disappointing fourth-quarter results and gave weak guidance for first-quarter sales.
    — Liz Napolitano,Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • After acquiring veteran pitcher Mitch Spence from the Athletics on Thursday, the Royals stayed busy Friday by signing lefty pitcher John Means to a minor-league deal.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The driver, who was believed to have had a medical emergency prior to the accident, was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of minor
Adjective
  • The little sluiceways through the shoals were only a few inches deep, so the coontail moss was also that much closer to the surface.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
  • That polarization leaves little margin for prosecutorial missteps.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of little
Adjective
  • Seven has been the nominal crew size on the ISS since 2020.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • This year, though, both LaHood and Bost are running unopposed in the March 17 GOP primary and Miller’s facing only nominal opposition.
    — Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of nominal
Adjective
  • Caudle told The Associated Press in a recent interview that his vision is to deploy smaller, newer ships when possible instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The small edit stood out for its playful party spirit and the brand was instantly associated to a sense of fun and maximalism unusual in the Scandinavian fashion scene.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of small
Noun
  • The final insult from State Farm came just hours after Karen Powers died, early on the morning of August 2, 2023.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • In an appearance on Fox News, the Trump-supporting singer bashed the choice of Bunny, saying the performance was an insult to the MAGA movement.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of insult
Verb
  • Northern publishers expurgated literary texts for fear of offending slaveholders; antislavery publications were barred from being mailed in the South.
    — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Perpetually offended, safe spaces, censoring free speech, culture of victimhood.
    — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of offend
Verb
  • Insulating silicone gaskets and foam silicone pads isolate the electronics and fans at the bottom from heat above; a fine steel mesh allows air to flow upwards from the fans, while preventing debris from falling into the componentry.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The team landed on a waterfront house in Bellport, Long Island, which was easily accessible for the crew while appearing isolated.
    — Mekita Rivas, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of isolate

Browse Nearby Words

sliding
slight
slighted
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Cite this Entry

“Slight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slight. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of slight for Spanish Speakers

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