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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 The versatile gadget packs a lot in its slim silhouette—with scissors, a bottle opener, a 3/16th flat head screwdriver, a can opener, a mini knife, and a rope saw. Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2025 Johnson's strong support for Trump echoes that of others in the Republican Party, which has control of both chambers of Congress, who recognize that passing legislation furthering Trump's agenda requires unity when majorities are slim. Dan Gooding hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 That’s slimmer than the original Legion Go, but the heaviest of our trio. PC Magazine, 5 June 2025 Veliz turns 22 in September, and the chances of him becoming a success at Spurs feel slim. Jay Harris, New York Times, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for slim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for 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
  • For hours when her mother was at work at the accounting office, Lin crouched by the side of the thin stream, watching the fish.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Consequently, the rollers became more and more narrow, until all that remained was a slender bar capped on both ends by large discs.
    Kai James, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
  • Taper: Taper candles are long, slender candles with a wider base and a narrow top.
    Maya Handelsman, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The risk was getting waived and wallowing in the G League with sparse crowds, commercial travel between remote locales and a dog-eat-dog team culture for as little as $40,500.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, Georgia and Paul split this season as the blowback from the trial — and Paul's support of Proposition 38, disastrous for small businesses — imperiled his mayoral career.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 7 June 2025
  • Farmers watered their crops less, and saw smaller harvests as a result.
    Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
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
  • The Denver Nuggets trailed by 11 with about four minutes left to start the Western Conference semis but stormed back at Paycom Center for a narrow win — the Thunder won that series in seven games.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 6 June 2025
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
Adjective
  • That's key in a country where good-paying jobs are scarce.
    Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 8 June 2025
  • Yet with the old rail factory at Qadam station in disrepair, the know-how to forge, repair, and maintain Ottoman rail is scarce.
    Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Some takeaways from a successful series win ahead of an off day Thursday: Mayer heating up Mayer hasn’t even been in the majors for a month, but the 22-year-old has already hit three homers and is finding his groove.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 June 2025
  • Yet Shildt had a relatively rested back end of his bullpen and an off day coming up.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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