thin 1 of 2

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2
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as in thinned
not containing very much of some important element the evidence for that oddball theory is pretty thin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

thin

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective thin contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of thin are slender, slight, slim, and tenuous. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," 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

In what contexts can slender take the place of thin?

The words slender and thin can be used in similar contexts, but slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slight be a good substitute for thin?

The synonyms slight and thin are sometimes interchangeable, but slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is it sensible to use slim instead of thin?

The words slim and thin are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

Where would tenuous be a reasonable alternative to thin?

In some situations, the words tenuous and thin are roughly equivalent. However, tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

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 thin
Adjective
But its share of the market is a thin slice compared to giant marquee brands like Kroger and Albertsons. Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 According to our 2023 Healthy Beauty Award testers, just a thin layer of this creamy-dreamy deodorant will last you the whole day. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 July 2025
Verb
The grass can thin out over time due to less oxygen in the soil and can potentially lead to root rot, Mayer adds. Lauren David, Southern Living, 10 July 2025 Omega-3 supplements can thin the blood and should be avoided in those who take anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications. Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for thin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thin
Adjective
  • Many have been quick to draw a connective throughline between the revival of trends like skinny jeans and bandage dress with the increasing accessibility of Ozempic and other GLP-1 injectables.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
  • Nothing fires up Google’s algorithm quite like talk of the return of skinny jeans, but for fall/winter 2025 designers are conspiring to relaunch another dormant Noughties trend: slouchy boho boots that puddle around the ankles and fold over the calves.
    Emma Spedding, Vogue, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Anya Taylor-Joy, imperiously slender and with devouring eyes, has a porcelain haughtiness that doesn’t quite work as Emma Woodhouse — at least not for me.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 19 July 2025
  • Those garments included curvaceous jackets with jodhpurs and slender gowns cut from both light-absorbing velvet and light reflecting satin. At Chanel, meanwhile, the dark hue was used for military suits in nubby tweeds.
    Ari Stark, Footwear News, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Such critics are concerned that our approach might dilute the sense of urgency necessary and undermine public messaging.
    Francesco Rubino, Time, 9 July 2025
  • Fill the glass with ice, and repeat with the other glass. 3: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, stir together the Earl Grey simple syrup, lime juice and smoked paprika until thoroughly chilled and diluted, about 15 seconds.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025
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
Adjective
  • But its critics say EA continues to make narrow and curious choices that neglect both systemic issues and the complexly human reasons people give, as a battle for billions rages on.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025
  • That choice is one of the starkest demonstrations that the regime’s priority of narrow self-interest over the global good won’t be changing anytime soon.
    Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • That said, the airline booked a gain on investment of $735 million as a non-operating income which resulted in net income of $2.1 billion or $3.27 per diluted share.
    Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Adjusted earnings rose 39 percent to $89 million, or 22 cents a diluted share.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • The Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, Jeannie C. Riley, Connie Smith and the duo of Charlie Louvin and Melba Montgomery were among the acts who cut her songs.
    Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 22 July 2025
  • The National Endowment for the Humanities cut the grant this spring.
    Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • In lean Laguna Woods, the city council made six extra lump sum payments to erase its unfunded pension liabilities since 2017.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 18 July 2025
  • Owners demand smarter, leaner ways of running their properties from third-party managers.
    Tyler Christiansen, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Thin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thin. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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