SLIM Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

slim

adjective

ˈslim

Definition of slim next

as in thin

being of less than usual width a slim volume of poetry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slender

having a noticeably small amount of body fat the pressure on ballet dancers to remain gracefully slim

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sparse

less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable slim pickings at the garage sale

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in small

small in degree a slim chance is still better than none

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 decision to go with the Chubby sizing, which is 7 in (18 cm) wider than Ovrlnd's standard models, was an easy one, expanding the sleeping proportions to a more feasible double bed width of 55 inches (140 cm) atop a slim pickup bed that measures roughly 43 inches (109 cm) wide from rail to rail. —

C.c. Weiss may 12, New Atlas, 12 May 2026 The Fyy organizer is slim enough to slip into any carry-on but manages to corral everything, including cords, backup batteries, and adapters into eight tidy pockets. —

Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026 The slim fit style hugs your body comfortably and lays flat under clothing for all-day freshness under tops, sweaters, blazers, button-downs and more. —

ABC News, 11 May 2026 The slim veil symbolized the gulf that existed between Black and white in America. —

Literary Hub, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

Adjective

Health experts are growing increasingly alarmed about the outbreak, arguing that cases have been spreading undetected as public health authorities are stretched thin.

— Lauren Weber, Washington Post, 18 May 2026
Few of the film’s ideas truly connect with one another, leaving its lead stars adrift in the process, forcing them to conjure three dimensional details from a script that, intentionally or otherwise, feels paper thin.

— Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 18 May 2026

Definition of thin

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slights

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slime

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“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of slim

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