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 Its slim metal build includes automatic brightness safeguard defenses and native Picture-by-Picture side-by-side multitasking. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026 Key Background Republicans will be defending slim majorities in both chambers of Congress come November. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 A number of lawmakers however did not vote on the bill, a quieter form of skepticism, and Senate President pro Tem Monique Limon noted to reporters that both bills passed via slim margins of approval. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026 With ultra-slim Republican margins in the House and Senate, Congress is having a tough time doing just the basics of legislating, let alone passing controversial legislation. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for slim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slim

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.

— STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2026
Sprinkle the entire rug with a thin layer of baking soda and wait 20 minutes.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

In contrast, instruments on the FireSat satellites will be able to detect small brush and roadside fires 16 feet across.

— Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
At the Cannes Film Festival in May, the model Toni Garrn made a striking appearance in a blue-black bustier dress embroidered with small petals.

— Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Definition of small

Adjective

Its designs were suited to its urban New England market — three stories high with a narrow footprint.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Sheer rock walls loom on one side, while the other, which is largely unguarded, plunges to the narrow canyon below.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of narrow

Adjective

Rats are burrowing into aid parcels, forcing people to throw away scarce rice or flour supplies.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Managing scarcity through digital modeling While deuterium is highly abundant and easily extracted from standard seawater, tritium is exceedingly scarce in nature.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026

Definition of scarce

Adjective

Sooryavanshi missed his first two balls and got off the mark with a sketchy inside edge that pinged past his off stump.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
If your student has an off-campus job or a position that requires them to work odd hours, a car might be worth the expense and hassle.

— Chris Teague, AJC.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of off

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slights

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slime

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“Slim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slim. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of slim

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