TENUOUS Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'tenuous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of tenuous are slender , slight , slim , and thin . While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness. // a tenuous thread

Q: Where would 'slender' be a reasonable alternative to 'tenuous'?

The meanings of slender and tenuous largely overlap; however, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion. // the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Q: When could 'slight' be used to replace 'tenuous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to tenuous , slight implies smallness as well as thinness. // a slight build

Q: When is 'slim' a more appropriate choice than 'tenuous'?

The synonyms slim and tenuous are sometimes interchangeable, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness. // a slim volume of poetry // a slim chance

Q: In what contexts can 'thin' take the place of 'tenuous'?

The words thin and tenuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

tenuous

adjective

Definition of tenuous next

as in fragile

lacking strength, permanence, or resilience The countries formed a tenuous political alliance. The moon has a tenuous atmosphere that frequently fluctuates in thickness.

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How does the adjective tenuous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of tenuous are slender, slight, slim, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

Where would slender be a reasonable alternative to tenuous?

The meanings of slender and tenuous largely overlap; however, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When could slight be used to replace tenuous?

While in some cases nearly identical to tenuous, slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is slim a more appropriate choice than tenuous?

The synonyms slim and tenuous are sometimes interchangeable, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

In what contexts can thin take the place of tenuous?

The words thin and tenuous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 tenuous Anyway, things continue to be tenuous at The Bear, as Sydney, Richie, Natalie and Carmy are forced to adjust to their new status quo, with a wholly undefined new power structure. —

Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 My grasp on the American story seemed more tenuous than ever. —

Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 Even beyond Cassidy, more Trump-friendly GOP lawmakers have expressed wariness in recent days about elements of the seemingly tenuous pact. —

Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 20 June 2026 Every new weight-loss medication will complicate any tenuous understanding of how these drugs affect athletic performance. —

Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tenuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenuous

Adjective

Meanwhile Karl Lagerfeld designed exquisite Weimar Kabaret-ish costumes (these ultimately proved too fragile to attach Madonna's monitoring system to.

— Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 5 July 2026
Gas prices ease as economic anxiety lingers Gas prices have dropped sharply in the weeks since the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, surprising analysts who had warned drivers could be in for a summer of soaring fuel costs.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026

Definition of fragile

Adjective

In 2024, roughly 48,800 Americans died by suicide, a slight decrease from the peak of nearly 49,500 deaths in this manner in 2022.

— Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Matching trousers stayed narrow through the hips before loosening down the leg into a slight flare.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026