Lilliputian

adjective

ˌli-lə-ˈpyü-shən How to pronounce Lilliputian (audio)
Definition of Lilliputiannext
1
as in small
not broad or open in views or opinions to the Lilliputian minds of that small town any depiction of the nude, regardless of its artistry, was pornographic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average a model train carrying Lilliputian figures through a miniature landscape

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Lilliputian There’s something undeniably charming about a Lilliputian pickle in a glass of gin. — Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 June 2025 The Trump administration has been ensnared in a Lilliputian thicket of nationwide injunctions almost since the moment that Donald Trump was sworn in and began issuing executive orders. — The Editors, National Review, 19 May 2025 Yet a conflict of sorts did break out on the fringes of the Côte d’Azur in 1963 when France, which surrounds three sides of this sovereign nation of a princely one square mile, demanded that its Lilliputian neighbor accept French taxation. — Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 21 Mar. 2025 Slovenia—a Lilliputian nation about the size of New Jersey but with less than a quarter of its population—has many stories to tell. — Ellen Ruppel Shell, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024 The Lilliputian sellers regularly fail to do damage when matched with the oblivious index money. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2024 Lo trumpets Lilliputian equipment: 1-quart pots; an immersion blender in place of a behemoth; a toaster oven in lieu of a conventional one. — Scott Hocker, theweek, 2 Aug. 2024 They’re served in Lilliputian beer steins that look like they were pulled from a doll house. — Becky Cooper, New York Times, 7 May 2024 Photograph: Ted Stryk/NASA/SwRI/MSS Yet the relatively small hearts in Lilliputian moons like Enceladus don’t contain enough radioactive matter to keep them toasty for billions of years. — WIRED, 24 Dec. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Lilliputian
  1. small
  2. diminutive
  3. petty
  4. little
  5. parochial
  6. tiny
  7. narrow
  8. miniature
Adjective
  • The division charged with keeping a handle on parasitic diseases had already been small, with only a few employees designated to parasite work.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • When states lose the authority to set their own food safety and agricultural standards, consumers and small farmers pay the price.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Definition of small
Adjective
  • Much of Hart’s appeal lies in his willingness to be the butt of the joke, and there are many here at his expense — thankfully not as many as usual targeting his diminutive stature.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 24 July 2026
  • For the second World Cup in a row, the final is settled deep into extra time with the only goal from a diminutive midfielder.
    — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of diminutive
Adjective
  • Hegseth has already challenged that premise in ways both meaningful and petty, by circumventing the normal promotion process to push out officers far below him or to stall their advancements, and by firing senior officers set for even higher rank.
    — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026
  • But while Argentina was being petty and petulant, Spain was practically perfect in every way.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of petty
Adjective
  • Sheinbaum has said that little evidence has emerged to substantiate claims of cartels interfering with elections, and noted that a state-level electoral tribunal ratified Rocha’s win in Sinaloa, after examining reports of irregularities.
    — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Music, Fashion, Film wants little to do with 2024’s accessible dance-pop and persistent focus on branding.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 July 2026
Definition of little
Adjective
  • From a parochial point of view, former Bruin goalie Joonas Korpisalo is now a Blueshirt after being dealt to Broadway on July 1.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 15 July 2026
  • Many children in Florida attending private, parochial or homeschool programs do not take the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, or FAST, test, which is used by Florida’s public school districts to measure students’ achievement.
    — Kendall Deas, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
Definition of parochial
Adjective
  • Things slowly improved as drummers were encouraged at Arrowhead, but even a big turnout of 20,000 fans looked tiny in a stadium that could seat four times that number.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • Unlike a felt-tip pen, which delivers a relatively consistent line, a brush liner behaves more like a tiny paintbrush.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
Definition of tiny
Adjective
  • That ought to be advantageous for the Spaniard, who seemed too often to run aground when trapped inside in a more narrow system.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • But the school board is the most notable exception, where Republicans cling to a narrow 4-3 majority after years of bruising elections.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • The suits are equipped with miniature oxygen generators that allow the cockroaches to survive for up to three hours underwater or in low-oxygen conditions.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • What if, with the aid of sensors and miniature robotics, engines could be built to self-repair?
    — Beena Ammanath, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of miniature

Browse Nearby Words

likings
Lilliputian
lilt
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Cite this Entry

“Lilliputian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Lilliputian. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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