svelte

adjective

ˈsvelt How to pronounce svelte (audio)
Definition of sveltenext
1
as in skinny
having a noticeably small amount of body fat the svelte dancer seemed to float across the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sophisticated
having or showing very polished and worldly manners the interior designer spoke in a low, svelte voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 svelte Compared to Ars’ usual diet of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids that regularly weigh more than two tons, the Seltos feels svelte by comparison. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026 This portable misting fan is more discreet than a spray bottle fan on a lanyard and svelte enough to slip into a purse or backpack. — Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 On the carpet, Delevingne stepped out in a svelte black halter-neck dress by Ralph Lauren, featuring black illusion-mesh cap sleeves. — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 4 May 2026 Vato’s tiny storefront is austere and modern, an aesthetic that extends to the burritos themselves, which are long, lithe roll-ups with a sort of gamine appeal, svelte as a Virginia Slim. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for svelte
Recent Examples of Synonyms for svelte
  1. skinny
  2. sophisticated
  3. slender
  4. graceful
  5. thin
  6. smooth
  7. lean
  8. suave
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
  • But our latest research shows how these tombs – built for Etruscans of higher socioeconomic and political status—were designed to offer sophisticated sensory experiences.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • There are more ways than ever to discover a new brand, more sophisticated motorcycles to build, more accessible manufacturing technology, and a global audience sitting just a click away.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of sophisticated
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
  • Decor, such as in Room 210, is a graceful fusion of white wood rafters, French oak, and stone flooring.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This beautiful retrospective volume shows a poet developing steadily, from the graceful descriptions and encoded trauma of the poems from the 1990s through the loosening music and political engagement of the books of the last ten years.
    — Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of graceful
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
  • Finished with a smooth, domed resin overlay that gives the artwork dimension and a polished finish.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The finish is a semi-matte—smooth, satin, and shine-free—that looks looks like velvet on the lips.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of smooth
Adjective
  • Canned seafood can include lean protein, essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DPA, potassium, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, iron and calcium, according to Michelle Dudash, RDN, author of The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook.
    — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Our staff sees it as competitive, but most lean toward the NL’s top seed moving on to the Championship Series.
    — The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of lean
Adjective
  • Someone with aura is confident, cool, collected, and suave; someone without aura is insecure, cringey, or generally uncool.
    — Stephanie Kasulka, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In the first series, Bateman plays Vince, a charismatic and chaotic screw-up who reunites with his brother, suave bar owner Jake (Jude Law).
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of suave

Browse Nearby Words

suzerains
svelte
svelteness
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Cite this Entry

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

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