paper-thin

[pey-per-thin]

adjective

1. extremely thin.

   a paper-thin razor blade.

2. inadequate or unconvincing; flimsy.

   a paper-thin excuse.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paper-thin¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

He has argued that Gascón’s analysis of the case was paper-thin, questioned the validity of their self-defense claims and repeatedly insisted the brothers had lied about the circumstances of the shooting.

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Rudd and Ortega’s characters are so paper-thin that viewers can see right through them, getting a look at what will come next before Elliot and Ridley do.

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"The amount of detail is paper-thin," he said.

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But Hannah herself is relatively one-dimensional, and Lourd is unsuited to her paper-thin character.

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This left Johnson shy of a necessary majority due to his party's paper-thin advantage in the lower chamber.

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Related Words

• delicate 
• flimsy 
• slim 
• translucent 
• wispy