slim

adjective

ˈslim How to pronounce slim (audio)
Definition of slimnext
1
as in thin
being of less than usual width a slim volume of poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slender
having a noticeably small amount of body fat the pressure on ballet dancers to remain gracefully slim

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable slim pickings at the garage sale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in small
small in degree a slim chance is still better than none

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Historically, teams that fall behind 3-1 in a playoff series rarely find a way back—only 13 of 296 have managed to pull off the comeback, a slim 4.4 percent success rate. —Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025 And after four years in which the Biden administration failed to negotiate a deal to replace the JCPOA, the prospects for a new agreement seemed slim. —Richard Nephew, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025 Mix-and-match Beyond Devers, the pickings are slim. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 24 May 2025 For those who missed the news at that time, the Flying Flea C6 draws from Enfield's all-terrain motorcycle design from the 1940s, when it was designed to be airdropped with parachutes during WWII – hence the slim frame. —New Atlas, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for slim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim
  1. thin
  2. slender
  3. sparse
  4. small
  5. narrow
  6. skinny
  7. scarce
  8. off
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
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • The slender figures wear precious garments, enhanced with cabochons and pearls, and adorned with ornaments.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • McMillan also needs to continue working with Carolina’s strength staff, because his lower body has always been slender and could impact his physical ceiling.
    — Joseph Person, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of slender
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
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of small
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of narrow
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
  • 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
  • For those who aren’t seeking beach time, the island also was praised for offering historic sites, golf courses and other off-shore activities.
    — Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
  • After an off day Thursday, the Arizona Diamondbacks come to GABP for three games.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of off

Browse Nearby Words

slights
slim
slime
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on slim

Nglish: Translation of slim for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slim

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'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
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