thin 1 of 2

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as in thinned
not containing very much of some important element the evidence for that oddball theory is pretty thin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

thin

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective thin contrast with its synonyms?

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

In what contexts can slender take the place of thin?

The words slender and thin can be used in similar contexts, but slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

When would slight be a good substitute for thin?

The synonyms slight and thin are sometimes interchangeable, but slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

When is it sensible to use slim instead of thin?

The words slim and thin are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

Where would tenuous be a reasonable alternative to thin?

In some situations, the words tenuous and thin are roughly equivalent. However, tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

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 thin
Adjective
Between the fingers, its consistency is thin and light. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025 The departures have strained a workforce that was already stretched thin. Eric Geller, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Dermatologists may debate the finer points but tend to agree on the virtues of a gentle cleanser, thinning down the rationale for anything else to a soap sliver. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025 Attrition is a cheat code for thinning the federal workforce. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thin
Adjective
  • While perhaps not quite as controversial as skinny jeans or statement necklaces, peplum tops have had their fair share of lovers and haters.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Bieber's hair was pulled back from her face and gathered at the crown of her head, with two tendrils pulled out on either side to brush across her face and over her skinny sunglasses.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Scattered across a chain of subtropical islands in southwestern Japan, buried under rocks, or deep within the region’s humid soil, researchers discovered seven new species with segmented bodies and dozens of slender legs.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Each one has a balcony with a view of the mountains or the lake and the slender spire of its pretty Germanic church.
    Ann Abel, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Old-timers’ fears of diversity diluting the unique Vienna affect — the blend of instruments being a wonder of the orchestral world — proved unsurprisingly unfounded.
    Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Expand only when revenue and opportunity justify it, allowing growth without diluting your brand or abandoning your core audience.
    Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Lift your hips off the ground and place a block underneath your sacrum, the widest, boniest part of your pelvis.
    Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
  • Differences in Adult Bones That being said, some adults are bonier than others.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Adjective
  • Rubrik beat Wall Street’s expectations, posting an adjusted loss of 18 cents per share for its fourth quarter, which was narrower than the 39 cent loss expected from analysts polled by LSEG.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The historically narrow majority that Republicans hold in the House of Representatives means this opposition will probably continue.
    Justin Peck / Made by History, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Earnings per diluted share increased to $1.36 from $1.24.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Net income for the fourth quarter jumped to $104.3 million, or 54 cents a diluted share, from $6.3 million, or 3 cents, a year earlier, when $131 million impairment and restructuring charges dragged down results.
    Evan Clark, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Will cutting sustainability contribute to losing trust with employees, consumers, and communities?
    Paul Klein, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Pitino pulled star wing RJ Luis out of the lineup after making two free throws to cut Arkansas’ lead to two points with less than five minutes to play.
    Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Choosing leaner cuts of red meat and using healthier cooking methods while including a variety of other nutrient-rich foods in your diet is a good way to include red meat in a balanced eating pattern.
    Roxana Ehsani, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Four lean years after age 30 with Seattle and Atlanta dropped his career average to .265.
    Chuck Murr, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Thin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thin. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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