superlative of little entry 1
1
: lowest in importance or position
It's least on my list of worries.
2
a
: smallest in size or degree
The least noise would startle her.
b
: being a member of a kind distinguished by diminutive size
the least bittern
c
: smallest possible : slightest
believed that the least government was the best government—
Irving Stone
Irving Stone
: one that is least
Examples of least in a Sentence
Adverb
Who was the least at fault in the case?
He asked me to help him when I least expected it.
That was the least important of her reasons.
That was the least interesting book I have ever read.
Recent Examples on the WebMaritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
But the album is also dead—or has at least been forever changed.
—C. Brandon Ogbunu, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
The Chargers trading out of the No. 5 spot, at least if the overwhelming outside speculation is correct.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Google is also reorganizing its AI research and responsibility groups, although those changes mostly won’t directly affect consumer products — at least not for now.
—David Hamilton, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
But a filing on Wednesday from Travalyst Ltd, which was founded by the prince, showed that America is now his primary residence — at least for business purposes.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Then, in the final days before the deadline, the BSCC allowed the facilities to continue operating -- at least, for now.
—Linsey Davis, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024
That attack wounded at least 14 Israeli soldiers, six of them severely, the IDF said.
—Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
The least fuel efficient version gets 43 mpg in mixed highway and city driving, according to EPA estimates.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2024
Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2023
This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020
The scales will be tipped by those least connected to the political parties, and most connected to deliberative process.
—David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2019
Respondents were asked to rank 39 possible trends—25 of which were trends from previous years—from 1 (least likely to be a trend) to 10 (most likely to be a trend).
—Leah Prinzivalli, SELF, 1 Nov. 2018
Women nominated for Grammy Awards, for instance, were most likely to be recognized for best new artist or song of the year and least likely to be up for producer of the year.
—August Brown, latimes.com, 25 Jan. 2018
As of now, the Power 5 league least likely to be represented in the playoff is the Pac-12, whose teams have steadily beaten each other; only one of its teams is ranked in The A.P.’s top 15.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2017
A pre-emptive U.S. military blow can’t be ruled out, but such a strike carries great risk and is among his least likely options.
—Robert Burns, The Seattle Times, 6 July 2017
That propels her toward Rex, the bomb-sniffer least likely to be voted Mr. Canine Congeniality.
—Special To The Washington Post, The Denver Post, 9 June 2017
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2024
Only 10 acts have earned at least 10 No. 1s: The Beatles (a record 19), Jay-Z (14), Drake and Swift (13 each), Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand and Ye (formerly Kanye West) (11 each), Eminem, Future and Elvis Presley (10 each).
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2024
At least one national homelessness advocacy group told The San Diego Union-Tribune last week that the $1 billion-plus that Gloria proposes to pay for a new shelter might be better spent on permanent housing or keeping people housed in the first place.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
To create a suitable indoor environment, however, constant use of a humidifier will be necessary since relative humidity around the plant must be at least 50% at all times and the relative humidity in our residences fluctuates between 30 and 50%.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
One officer puts a knee on Gonzalez’s back and holds it there for at least four minutes, even as Gonzalez gasps for air.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
More than 25 pounds or more than 100 marijuana plants with intent to distribute — Felony with a minimum fine of $15,000 and at least five years incarcerated.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2024
Butler County Sheriff’s Office records show that deputies responded to Murphy’s two properties at least 36 times from February 2020 to July 2023 to check on the animals’ welfare and respond to complaints about the conditions there.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 9 Apr. 2024
Launched in 2013, the program grants residency rights to foreigners who invest at least $541,250 (€500,000) in real estate in the country.
—Alex Wood Morton, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
Adjective
At least four of those members and one alternate need to be teenagers that live in Gilbert and go to school within Gilbert town limits, the council decided.
—Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
But the album is also dead—or has at least been forever changed.
—C. Brandon Ogbunu, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
The Chargers trading out of the No. 5 spot, at least if the overwhelming outside speculation is correct.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Google is also reorganizing its AI research and responsibility groups, although those changes mostly won’t directly affect consumer products — at least not for now.
—David Hamilton, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024
But a filing on Wednesday from Travalyst Ltd, which was founded by the prince, showed that America is now his primary residence — at least for business purposes.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
Then, in the final days before the deadline, the BSCC allowed the facilities to continue operating -- at least, for now.
—Linsey Davis, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024
That attack wounded at least 14 Israeli soldiers, six of them severely, the IDF said.
—Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
The least fuel efficient version gets 43 mpg in mixed highway and city driving, according to EPA estimates.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2024
Noun
The dish was created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel by chef Fred K. Schmidt after guests got bored with traditional ham and egg suppers (or so legend says, at leasts).
—Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2023
This is one of the ideas that have long made electoral politics a graveyard for the American left: the hope of a post-political, revolutionary campaign built on the backs of the voters most sympathetic to their cause and least likely to vote.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 19 Mar. 2020
The scales will be tipped by those least connected to the political parties, and most connected to deliberative process.
—David Paleologos, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2019
Respondents were asked to rank 39 possible trends—25 of which were trends from previous years—from 1 (least likely to be a trend) to 10 (most likely to be a trend).
—Leah Prinzivalli, SELF, 1 Nov. 2018
Women nominated for Grammy Awards, for instance, were most likely to be recognized for best new artist or song of the year and least likely to be up for producer of the year.
—August Brown, latimes.com, 25 Jan. 2018
As of now, the Power 5 league least likely to be represented in the playoff is the Pac-12, whose teams have steadily beaten each other; only one of its teams is ranked in The A.P.’s top 15.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2017
A pre-emptive U.S. military blow can’t be ruled out, but such a strike carries great risk and is among his least likely options.
—Robert Burns, The Seattle Times, 6 July 2017
That propels her toward Rex, the bomb-sniffer least likely to be voted Mr. Canine Congeniality.
—Special To The Washington Post, The Denver Post, 9 June 2017
Adverb
Earlier this week, Maine Gov. Janet Mills allowed a bill to become law without her signature that would take effect once the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is able to gather pledges for at least 270 electoral votes -- the number of delegate votes needed to elect a president.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2024
Only 10 acts have earned at least 10 No. 1s: The Beatles (a record 19), Jay-Z (14), Drake and Swift (13 each), Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand and Ye (formerly Kanye West) (11 each), Eminem, Future and Elvis Presley (10 each).
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2024
At least one national homelessness advocacy group told The San Diego Union-Tribune last week that the $1 billion-plus that Gloria proposes to pay for a new shelter might be better spent on permanent housing or keeping people housed in the first place.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
To create a suitable indoor environment, however, constant use of a humidifier will be necessary since relative humidity around the plant must be at least 50% at all times and the relative humidity in our residences fluctuates between 30 and 50%.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024
One officer puts a knee on Gonzalez’s back and holds it there for at least four minutes, even as Gonzalez gasps for air.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
More than 25 pounds or more than 100 marijuana plants with intent to distribute — Felony with a minimum fine of $15,000 and at least five years incarcerated.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2024
Butler County Sheriff’s Office records show that deputies responded to Murphy’s two properties at least 36 times from February 2020 to July 2023 to check on the animals’ welfare and respond to complaints about the conditions there.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 9 Apr. 2024
Launched in 2013, the program grants residency rights to foreigners who invest at least $541,250 (€500,000) in real estate in the country.
—Alex Wood Morton, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'least.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near least
Cite this Entry
“Least.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/least. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
least
1 of 3 adjective1
: lowest in importance or position
2
: smallest in size or degree
least
2 of 3 noun
: one that is least : something of the lowest possible value or importance
least
3 of 3 adverb
: in the smallest or lowest degree
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