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
  • 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
  • Despite its name, the island’s diminutive national instrument has 10 strings in five courses, and possesses a bright, sunny tone that cuts to the front of an ensemble.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
Definition of diminutive
Adjective
  • The Greek myths are rife with petty and meddlesome deities squabbling, playing favorites, punishing harshly, and otherwise wreaking havoc on the lives of mortal men.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • In each social-commentary-teetering-on-horror episode, Nanno is a pupil at a different school, picture perfect and scanning the room for whatever secrets — an abusive teacher, an absurd hierarchical system, petty jealousy — demand to be revealed.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of petty
Adjective
  • The latest appearance will do little to quell criticism of Infantino, who is standing currently unopposed for re-election as FIFA president.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • At a press conference with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, government officials said that the fire had started unusually close to the community in Collins, leaving little time to respond.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Definition of little
Adjective
  • 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
  • They are hired hands and stewards of other people’s capital, with no desire to becoming embroiled in internecine squabbles between clashing advocates, parochial activists, and plain opportunists latching on to the moment.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
Definition of parochial
Adjective
  • This allows the hybrid system to operate continuously for days or even weeks with a tiny power system.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • That gives the three imminent data centers in Miami-Dade a tinier footprint than the headline makers elsewhere in the state, said Margaret Cook, vice president of water and community resilience at the Houston Advanced Research Center.
    — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
Definition of tiny
Adjective
  • The broad straps offset the lower neckline, which scoops at its narrowest point for a softer look, rather than forming a harsh line.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 13 July 2026
  • Plans with lower monthly costs often have narrower networks of doctors and hospitals, and less generous drug coverage.
    — Renuka Rayasam, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • The sensor also controlled liquid droplets in a miniature fluidic device and directed hair-like flexible structures without software.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
  • The old collection of miniature plastic bottles is gone, replaced by large refillable dispensers.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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