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 On two days, July 30 and August 20, Coca-Cola topped Alphabet by slim margins at the close. — Alex Crippen, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026 At a slim 97 minutes, the film’s script (also by Lucas and Moore) doesn’t have much room for those bigger backstories or to fill any yawning gaps. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 Alternative options for Verstappen looking into next year looked slim given the deals in place for the drivers at the other front-running teams. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The 20-ounce size hits the nice sweet spot for everyday use and the slim shape feels much more streamlined than some of Stanley’s chunkier bottles. — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

Adjective

Days turn crisp, aspens begin streaking the valley with gold and summer crowds thin in Grand Teton National Park.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Unlike mainstream fusion projects such as tokamaks, the Texatron does not rely on giant superconducting magnets to hold a thin gas in place for long periods.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

That’s a dangerous prospect for any country, but especially for Singapore, crammed into a space smaller than New York City.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
But after home brewers were able to show the appeal of hoppy IPAs, malty stouts and citrusy wheat ales, that eventually led to a boom in small breweries.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Burner accounts from China and Russia And those partnership ads are channeled through a narrow group of creators, ORL says.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Just like their simulated counterparts, the worms consistently moved through the narrower channels faster than the wider ones.

— K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

The junior right-hander can be rolling to his left, then plant, turn and fire a pass, with his long, skinny arm, 60 yards downfield and right on the money.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
While at the airport, the singer wore skinny jeans and a white tee, styled with bauble earrings and a black-and-white fringe jacket.

— Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of skinny

Adjective

For reference, antimony is a relatively scarce metal/mineral used in things like flame retardants, batteries, electronics, and defense applications.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
David Szondy/New Atlas What was needed was a cheap, effective weapon that could be produced quickly and in large numbers with the scarce resources available in a country committed to total war.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of scarce

Adjective

The arrival of Marmoush, a springy runner who is dangerous on the break and dynamic with his off-ball movement, helped reinforce a bolder new approach.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Diaz tacked on an RBI single in the ninth off rookie Bradley Hanner as the Astros scored six runs against New York's bullpen.

— CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of slim

adjective

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