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 Holmgren patrols the paint like few can, even while still being far more slender than most other NBA players at his position. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 May 2025 This small skink, with its slender body and pointed snout, was found under tile debris in an evergreen forest. —Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 Courtesy of Dyson For such a slender vacuum, Dyson managed to squeeze in a ton of noteworthy features. —Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 22 May 2025 In 2016, the Dodgers sent pitcher Zach Lee to the Pacific Northwest in return for the slender middle infielder. —Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 21 May 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 lines between competitive stubbornness and plain old stubbornness, a healthy arrogance and prideful ignorance are pretty thin.
    — Will Graves, The Orlando Sentinel, 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
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • In a job market where interviews are scarce and searches can stretch for months, Marino-Briggs was struck by how often candidates arrived unprepared.
    — Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • In a year where momentum is scarce, NASCAR’s 600-mile test provides a chance to put some distance between the good and the great.
    — Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2025
Definition of scarce
Adjective
  • By contrast, Ono’s tentative UF contract is notably leaner — and stricter.
    — Garrett Shanley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • However, what the study suggests is that this struggle has just gotten leaner and meaner – with a rise of 5.8% in unemployment for new college grads, and similar other harbingers of doom for Gen Z as a labor force.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Definition of lean
Adjective
  • The bill faced opposition from fiscal conservatives but ultimately passed in the House last week and is now before the Senate, where Republicans also hold a slim majority.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 29 May 2025
  • Don’t let its slim, 5-pound design fool you — this lightweight vacuum is equipped with three suction modes that can tackle floor-to-ceiling messes for up to 65 minutes, according to the brand.
    — Clara McMahon, People.com, 29 May 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 11 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 ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

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

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

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
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All