thin 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthin How to pronounce thin (audio)
Definition of thinnext
1
as in skinny
having a noticeably small amount of body fat after starting a workout routine, she looked thinner

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2
as in slender
being of less than usual width the thin threads of a cobweb

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3
as in thinned
not containing very much of some important element the evidence for that oddball theory is pretty thin

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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

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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
The iPhone Air Only Supports USB 2 Speeds The iPhone Air is relatively full-featured for such a thin phone, but Apple did make some odd compromises. —PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025 Here are five passive aggressive phrases that put you on thin ice with colleagues. —Melody Wilding, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Smith said his department is short 150 officers but that many of the current officers also belong to the National Guard, so a deployment would thin his ranks. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025 Pruning, thinning fruit, and watering during dry spells are key to good fruit production. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thin
  1. skinny
  2. slender
  3. dilute
  4. bony
  5. narrow
  6. diluted
  7. cut
  8. lean
Adjective
  • For a cozy, preppy look for fall, for example, pair your favorite brown riding boots with black leggings or skinny jeans and a sweater.
    — Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The Marguerite Another skinny silhouette, just a little longer.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of skinny
Adjective
  • This further shrank the already slender Republican House majority.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • There are several superstar cameos, and they’re nicely integrated into the movie’s slender plot.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of slender
Verb
  • Some of the erosion of credibility, young American Jews across the country tell me, stems from those who insist all criticism of Israel is antisemitic, diluting the term's power.
    — Andrew Weinstein, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In his interview with CNN, Metzger said those measures could include the government stepping in to dilute space corporations’ equity or creating some sort of universal basic income.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of dilute
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
Definition of bony
Adjective
  • They’re also made with arch support and a toe box that’s not too narrow or crammed, per the brand, plus the rubber sole offers a nice cushioned platform with each step.
    — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • With Republicans holding only a narrow majority, the outcomes could shape the balance of power heading into 2026.
    — Grace Sandman, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Moisture absorbed from the air returns as diluted desiccant to storage.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Your Way Dry Wash or a diluted shampoo, followed by a blow-dry to prevent mildew.
    — Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of diluted
Verb
  • Others have cut bills by a factor of five.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Jobless claims hit their highest level since 2021 last week, adding to recent labor market revisions that have fueled confidence the Fed will cut rates in September.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of cut
Adjective
  • Rizzoli’s anchovy fillets were leaner than what our panel preferred.
    — Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The result is a resilient, insight-ready infrastructure that supports faster investigations, leaner maintenance and more agile process improvement—without compromising the stringent regulatory environment that defines the industry.
    — Nagesh Nama, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of lean

Phrases Containing thin

Browse Nearby Words

thimblerigs
thin
thing
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Cite this Entry

“Thin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thin. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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