little 1 of 3

adjective

ˈli-tᵊl How to pronounce little (audio)
Definition of littlenext
1
as in short
having relatively little height there was a little hedge separating the two lawns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in small
lacking importance there were just a few little details left to take care of

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in narrow
not broad or open in views or opinions little-minded people who dislike the fact that human society is always progressing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in brief
not lasting for a considerable time let's take a little pause to relax

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in diminutive
of a size that is less than average the petting zoo has a little horse in addition to all of the goats and sheep

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

little

2 of 3

adverb

1
as in slightly
in a very small quantity or degree we had little more than we needed to survive in the wilderness

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rarely
not often he's been studying very little for the bar exam

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

little

3 of 3

noun

as in bit
a very small amount there's just a little of the pie left

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word little distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of little are diminutive, miniature, minute, small, and tiny. While all these words mean "noticeably below average in size," little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.

your pathetic little smile

When is diminutive a more appropriate choice than little?

Although the words diminutive and little have much in common, diminutive implies abnormal smallness.

diminutive bonsai plants

In what contexts can miniature take the place of little?

The synonyms miniature and little are sometimes interchangeable, but miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale.

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

When would minute be a good substitute for little?

The words minute and little can be used in similar contexts, but minute implies extreme smallness.

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

How are the words small and little related?

Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.

a relatively small backyard

How do tiny and minute relate to one another, in the sense of little?

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 little
Adjective
In a handwritten statement included in the application, Grayson appeared to show little remorse for his actions and maintained that Massey attacked him with the pot of hot water. — Ava Kelley, NBC news, 31 July 2026 Most people would be shocked at how little room for error there is on a soap opera schedule. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
Adverb
During the meeting, officials said the site has changed little since the early 2000s, after a previous proposal to build a Ferris wheel stalled. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 The result is fresh, bright and unmistakably summery—a milk punch that tastes very little like milk, but could not exist without it. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 25 July 2026
Noun
Champagne for the adults and apple juice for the littles. — Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 Most are backward-looking, which does little to help workers focus on growth. — Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for little
Recent Examples of Synonyms for little
  1. short
  2. small
  3. narrow
  4. brief
  5. diminutive
  6. slightly
  7. rarely
  8. bit
Adjective
  • Lavish in convenience, the property is a short walk away to the Bedford Avenue subway stop, the vast and lively McCarren Park, and close to the border of the ever-evolving Greenpoint neighborhood.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • The new short film by writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal will premiere at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of short
Adjective
  • They were first popularized in Georgian England as small tokens of affection, infatuation or mourning, and examples are scattered across major museums such as the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Potential monetary policy task force recommendations may involve less transparent communication, a smaller balance sheet with stability risks, and inflation metrics that produce a lower reading.
    — David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of small
Adjective
  • This year, lawmakers introduced narrower proposals, including a bill to create a statewide HOA complaint tracking system, but those measures remain stuck in committee.
    — Nora O'Neill July 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026
  • Given how unsettled the AI capital-spending cycle, macro policy, and geopolitical risk all are simultaneously, genuine diversification away from a narrow, concentrated public market has real value—and arguably more than usual.
    — Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Project Glasswing gave a perception that defenders would have a brief window to strengthen their defenses before the offensive capabilities of Mythos or equivalent models were available to the public.
    — Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Supporters only caught a brief glimpse of the SUV that met Messi on the tarmac to transport him and his family to the private neighborhood of Funes, roughly 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Buenos Aires.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • Agencies today balance irrigation and development needs with the water quality and temperature needed by endangered and threatened fish, ranging from winter run Chinook salmon and Central Valley Steelhead trout to diminutive delta and longfin smelt.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
  • Despite its diminutive size, inside you’ll find Extra Strength Tylenol, Neosporin cream, wipes, gauze, and an assortment of Band-aid bandages.
    — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026
Definition of diminutive
Adverb
  • Let the cake cool slightly, for about 15 minutes, before drizzling the pudding over the top.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But if the answer waivers even slightly, this month will act like a wakeup call and remind you to seize the day.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • Nearly everyone knows someone with a disability, yet that familiarity rarely translates into investment, in part because some funders still assume the community is too small to warrant a dedicated strategy.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Modi, who rarely responds to criticism, has not publicly responded to the protesters’ demands.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of rarely
Noun
  • And in April 2026 a researcher chasing Project Eleven's Q-Day Prize broke a 15-bit key on real quantum hardware.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • This light, summery soup is filled with fresh sweet corn and zucchini, and topped with savory bacon bits.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of bit

Phrases Containing little

Browse Nearby Words

litters
little
little bitty
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Cite this Entry

“Little.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/little. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on little

Nglish: Translation of little for Spanish Speakers

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