1
as in little
of a size that is less than average a small cat who never weighed more than five pounds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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a small amount
a tiny amount
an insignificant amount
a minimal amount
a trivial amount
a modest amount
a small town
a quaint town
a rural town
a little town
a tiny town
a rustic town
small changes
minor changes
subtle changes
slight changes
incremental changes
trivial changes
small pieces
minuscule pieces
manageable pieces
little pieces
fine pieces

Synonym Chooser

How is the word small distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of small are diminutive, little, miniature, minute, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

In what contexts can diminutive take the place of small?

In some situations, the words diminutive and small are roughly equivalent. However, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

When can little be used instead of small?

The meanings of little and small largely overlap; however, little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When could miniature be used to replace small?

The words miniature and small can be used in similar contexts, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When is it sensible to use minute instead of small?

The words minute and small are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words tiny and minute related as synonyms of small?

Tiny is an informal equivalent to minute.

tiny cracks formed in the painting

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 small Despite its small size (168 pages, including 20 pages of notes in the back), Our Malady is a timely and gripping examination of the state of the healthcare system in the USA as compared to healthcare systems in several European countries. Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025 Limu also appears in lei from the smallest of the islands, along with hinahina, a native heliotrope, which can be brewed into a cleansing tea. D. Kauwila Mahi, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2025 Grumbling about grim winter tomatoes is a long-standing national hobby, and at the same time, their existence is a small miracle. Rachel Sugar, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025 While the headline-grabbing CEOs are interesting, hearing the stories of smaller companies is absolutely fascinating. Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for small
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small
Adjective
  • Since all the council members sit on the budget committee that voted and heard budget, little, if anything, in the budget is expected to change.
    Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
  • The 2023 impeachment trial of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was acquitted in a Senate impeachment trial on a range of charges including bribery and abuse of office, appeared to have done little to undermine his standing among voters.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong, Justin Turner and more were in attendance, taking advantage of the Cubs having an off day after several of them put in a shift signing autographs at The National earlier in the day.
    The Athletic Collectibles Staff, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The attacker, 27-year-old Shane Devon Tamura, entered the office tower with an assault rifle and body armor, fatally shooting a security guard, a Blackstone executive, a Rudin Management associate, and an off-duty NYPD officer before taking his own life.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • More Songs is, in effect, Eno’s debut as a capital-P producer, notwithstanding some minor early efforts and, of course, David Bowie’s landmark sessions for Low and Heroes.
    Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2025
  • The club insisted Isak was left behind because of a minor thigh problem but The Athletic reported on Thursday sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, indicated the forward favoured being omitted amid his uncertain future.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Without wanting to trivialize egregious breaches of sovereignty like the invasion of Ukraine, most are undeniably petty.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 July 2025
  • The disappearance of dozens of shopping carts, the closure of self-checkout lanes, and a visible rise in shoplifting, panhandling, loitering and petty crime left customers, managers and officials at City Hall all trading blame.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Over the past century, however, pollution, invasive species and excessive water pumping have destabilized the ecosystem, pushing the diminutive delta smelt toward extinction.
    Moira Donovan, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
  • Hawkins is the revelation here, a diminutive, hippy-dippy monster.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Johnson has become the regular defensive replacement for Sheets in left field, primarily late in games the Padres lead by a slim margin.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2025
  • Investors know that distributors usually have slim margins; hence their stocks are cheap.
    John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • Car buyers are benefiting from a slight downturn in interest rates, too.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
  • Wednesday will be even cooler with highs in the 70s and a slight chance for rain.
    Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • South suburban committee members, meanwhile, showed parochial loyalty to Kelly.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025
  • In a chamber fraught with parochial interests and personalities in spades, the sprint to finish this by the July 4 holiday is going to be clipped.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Small.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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