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

as in thin

being of less than usual width a slim volume of poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sparse

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Balance out the slimmer fit of the bottom of your outfit with a roomy sweater. — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2026 The ball appeared to slip just inside the left upright by the slimmest of margins. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 That said, Walmart still appears to be selling the Pixel 10a for $499, although supplies are slim. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 Sale won’t be ready for Game 1, and the odds of Bryce Elder or Reynaldo López returning from injury feel slim. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

Adjective

BioNxt Solutions is developing a sublingual semaglutide thin-film platform and reported moving its program into active pharmaceutical development in 2026.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
The launch shows that Innovera can be cut into thin strips and woven without immediately losing its structure.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

Use a long, slender trowel to dig a single-occupancy hole, or dig a wide hole to plant a group of bulbs.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
They are designed with slender straps that cross over the foot, creating an elegantly curved shape at the vamp.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of slender

Adjective

The Kings began in 1967 before a sparse crowd in Long Beach, as executive Alan Rothenberg helped sell a skeptical Southern California on hockey’s place in a warm-weather city.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
A couple of decades later, however, Ryan Field gamedays often seemed sparse.

— Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of sparse

Adjective

But do such experiences meet the narrow definition of attachment?

— Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
When the pollsters gave likely voters additional, critical information about both candidates, Bass shot up by 5 points and took a narrow lead over Raman, 40% to 39%, with 21% undecided, according to FM3.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

Elsewhere, Julia Fox erupted on the scene, sporting skinny brows, overly blushed cheeks, black liner and glossed lips, no less.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
There were handheld American flags on skinny sticks, midsize ones to display on a wall and majestic formal flags adorned with silky gold fringe.

— Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

In line with Parton’s original goal, the Imagination Library may do the most to change reading habits in lower-income homes – where children’s books tend to be scarce.

— Alex H. Poole, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
Both men said that California was expensive, housing too scarce, homelessness too common and education too often failing to serve the state’s children.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of scarce

Adjective

Mix these finds into your work wardrobe or your off-duty ensembles—they’re versatile enough to do it all, and the festive palette is worth drooling over.

— Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
Caminero is one of those players who, even amid a 162-game season, spends his off days watching baseball.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of off

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slights

slim

slime

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“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of slim

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