SLIGHT Synonyms: 549 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of slight are slender , slim , tenuous , and thin . While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slight implies smallness as well as thinness. // a slight build

Q: When is 'slender' a more appropriate choice than 'slight'?

While in some cases nearly identical to slight , slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion. // the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

Q: When would 'slim' be a good substitute for 'slight'?

The words slim and slight can be used in similar contexts, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness. // a slim volume of poetry // a slim chance

Q: When might 'tenuous' be a better fit than 'slight'?

The synonyms tenuous and slight are sometimes interchangeable, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness. // a tenuous thread

Q: When is it sensible to use 'thin' instead of 'slight'?

The meanings of thin and slight largely overlap; however, 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

slight 1 of 3

adjective

ˈslīt

Definition of slight next

as in weak

lacking bodily strength a small lad with a slight build

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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as in minor

lacking importance a slight comedy that did nothing to further her career

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as in little

of a size that is less than average the slight youth packed a surprisingly solid punch

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as in nominal

so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention apart from a slight fishy taste, the dish was fine

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as in small

small in degree only a slight chance of success

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slight

2 of 3

noun

as in insult

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings refused to respond to their petty slights

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slight

3 of 3

verb

as in to insult

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the dancers felt slighted by the harsh comments of the judges

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as in to isolate

to deliberately ignore or treat rudely as a temp worker, she often feels slighted by the people she has to work with

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as in to disdain

to show contempt for music critics who slight any style of music that doesn't fit their personal taste

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as in to ignore

to fail to give proper attention to slighted several major authors in her survey of 20th-century fiction

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective slight contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of slight are slender, slim, tenuous, and thin. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is slender a more appropriate choice than slight?

While in some cases nearly identical to slight, slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slim be a good substitute for slight?

The words slim and slight can be used in similar contexts, but slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

When might tenuous be a better fit than slight?

The synonyms tenuous and slight are sometimes interchangeable, but tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

When is it sensible to use thin instead of slight?

The meanings of thin and slight largely overlap; however, 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 slight

Adjective

Those who consumed two 1 gram (g) tablets of powdered ginger daily for 12 weeks showed a slight but statistically significant decrease in changes in body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, body composition, and appetite compared to those who took a placebo. —

Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2025 Yards gained per pass attempt: Mahomes also has the slight edge here: 7.8 yards to Brady's 7.4 yards. —

Jim Sergent, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025

Noun

Perhaps one of the slights on the duo could be that Vrabel’s passing offenses with the Titans never put up gaudy numbers. —

Chad Graff, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025 It’s usually seen as a slight on a documentary to liken it to a public service announcement. —

Guy Lodge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025

Verb

But also, if a referee makes a controversial call against a fan, that fan's going to feel like they were slighted, just like the players do. —

Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024 Tin Tin ran with the story as their second-day coverage, clearly intending to slight Jake but also in a move that clearer heads, namely Emi’s, support as a reporter doing his job. —

Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for slight

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slight

Adjective

Why Does Taste Sensitivity Matter for Weight Loss? Previous research on how people with obesity perceive taste suggested that weaker taste sensitivity may cause some people to eat more of certain foods to feel satisfied.

— Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Feb. 2025
The Trade Desk missed fourth-quarter revenue estimates and issued weak guidance.

— Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025