THIN Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

thin 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthin

Definition of thin next

as in skinny

having a noticeably small amount of body fat after starting a workout routine, she looked thinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slender

being of less than usual width the thin threads of a cobweb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to dilute

to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances thinned the cream with milk but didn't tell anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Since Tristan is lecturing about camels in Doncaster and Richard is gone from our screens (though not our hearts), James and Siegfried are stretched thin. —

Alice Burton, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025 By naming the hard work that women take on as men’s social networks thin, other researchers around the world can join us in assessing this phenomenon and its effects. —

Angelica Puzio Ferrara, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2025

Verb

Killing female deer weakens a herd’s ability to grow, and officials thought that thinning out deer herds was the key to eradicating the disease and preserving wild herd health. —

Sophie Hartley, Scientific American, 10 Jan. 2025 And that above-average amount of water also thinned out the texture of the drink. —

Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appétit, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for thin

Recent Examples of Synonyms for thin

Adjective

The year is already off to a stylish start for Frame, which just dropped a new skinny jean release with Gen Z icon Alix Earle.

— Michelle Lee, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Its springy fill and skinny body made for an awkward, if not uncomfortable, side sleep.

— Molly Higgins, WIRED, 1 Feb. 2025