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
There is a slight chance of showers after 4 a.m. with a partly cloudy night. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 15 July 2025 Mostly cloudy, with a low around 84. July 18: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
Despite the fact that nobody present has any interest in ecclesiastical architecture, the meetings are hot with petty slights, indignant stares, fragile alliances and hostile incursions. —New York Times, 3 May 2025 Some Jews heard anti-Israel currents in portions of the Black Lives Matter platform, while some Black activists perceived Jewish silence on police brutality; social media amplified every slight. —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025
Verb
Plus, an in-demand restaurant at capacity might not feel particularly motivated to go above and beyond to satisfy a diner who feels slighted by their subpar table. —Maggie Hennessy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025 Was slighting the defense to improve the offense worth risking a miss on several top defensive prospects? —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 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
  • This weak cash generation capability raises questions about the company’s ability to fund growth investments and return capital to shareholders.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Witness the rally in the railroads last week that crushed shorts banking on weaker transport earnings.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 July 2025
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • More Songs is, in effect, Eno’s debut as a capital-P producer, notwithstanding some minor early efforts and, of course, David Bowie’s landmark sessions for Low and Heroes.
    — Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2025
  • The club insisted Isak was left behind because of a minor thigh problem but The Athletic reported on Thursday sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, indicated the forward favoured being omitted amid his uncertain future.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Definition of minor
Adjective
  • The specialized wedding dress retailer crafts unique dresses for the plush accessory, giving the Pop Mart little monster toy the bridal treatment in an unconventional way.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
  • If Brookshire bounces back the next year, Schroth predicts there will be little reaction from neighbors.
    — Zoey Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Definition of little
Adjective
  • However, New Delhi must address a number of chronic systemic issues that prevent the world’s fourth largest economy ($4.19 trillion by nominal gross domestic product) from becoming a competitive manufacturing destination.
    — Kamran Bokhari, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
  • The Congressional Budget Office projected the increase in migrants would boost the U.S. nominal GDP by $8.9 trillion between 2024 to 2034.
    — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025
Definition of nominal
Adjective
  • In a small bowl, combine the softened butter and garlic and mix well.
    — Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
  • Beyond providing an invitation for music-curious Austinites to come explore the clubs, the festival offers a lifeline to musicians and venues during the slow summer season, when small clubs that support emerging artists face some of their greatest challenges.
    — Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
Definition of small
Noun
  • And the gratuitous insults—to NATO allies, the European Union, the BRICs, the United Nations, or the World Health Organization—continue to flow from the president.
    — MARGARET MACMILLAN, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
  • The Steals and Deals segment on the WFTV newscasts are annoying and an insult to the viewers!
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 July 2025
Definition of insult
Verb
  • The firing of career prosecutors calls to mind how Bondi, as Florida attorney general, forced out two assistants who offended a Jacksonville company linked to mortgage fraud investigations.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025
  • Some of Lamar’s bars in that track offended Drake and helped ignite their public feud.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of offend
Verb
  • The incident is believed to be isolated and Boodarian is not a suspect in any other burglaries, the sources said.
    — Julie Sone, ABC News, 15 July 2025
  • While some environmental bacteria are known to isolate PFAS, the chemicals' interaction with human gut bacteria has been unclear.
    — Jay Kakade July 12, New Atlas, 12 July 2025
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 30 Jul. 2025.

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